US07820653B2
A photosensing soluble organic semiconductor material is disclosed, which includes a Diels-Alder adduct which is a polycyclic aromatic compound with a dienophile. The polycyclic aromatic compound is pentacene. And the dienophile is represented by the formula of O═S═N—R1, wherein R1 is SO2R2, SO3R2, SO2−, or SO3−; and wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, aryl, aralkyl, chloroalkyl, fluoroalkyl, and substituted aryl with 1-12 carbon atoms. The structural formula of the adduct is as follows:
US07820647B2
The invention relates to 2-substituted pyrimidines of the formula I in which the index n and the substituents L and R1 to R3 are as defined in the description and X is a group —CH—Ra, —N—Rb—, —O— or —S—; Ra may be hydrogen, halogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, cyano or C1-C6-alkoxycarbonyl; Rb is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl or C3-C6-cycloalkyl; T is a group —CH—Ra—; p is an integer from 1 to 4; Y is a group —CH—Ra— or —N—Rb—, o is 0 or 1; Z is O, S or a group N(Rc) Rc is hydrogen, C1-C6-alkyl or C1-C6-alkoxy, and to processes for their preparation, to pesticidal compositions comprising them and to their use as pesticides.
US07820646B2
The present invention relates to new substituted imidazole compounds have the following Formula (I) and to the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof, to compositions of the compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and to uses of the compounds:
US07820640B2
In one aspect, the present invention provides otoprotectant compositions useful for ameliorating hearing loss. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic and at least one otoprotectant selected from the group consisting of a xanthine oxidase inhibitor and a glutathione or glutathione precursor. In some embodiments, the otoprotective compositions comprise at least one glutathione peroxidase mimic, at least one xanthine oxidase inhibitor, at least one glutathione or glutathione precursor. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for ameliorating hearing loss by administering to a subject an amount of an otoprotective composition that is effective to ameliorate hearing loss.
US07820638B2
A method for lubricating an implant or graft prior to implantation into a target implant site which enhances the lubricity of the implant or graft and promotes bone growth. The method comprises the steps of lubricating the implant or graft with the composition comprising hyaluronic acid and optionally a growth factor and/or an antiseptic and/or antibiotic, and subsequently implanting the lubricated implant or graft into a target implant site.
US07820637B2
5′-methylthioadenosine (MTA), its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or prodrugs may be used in the prevention and/or treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as, for example, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), as well as in the prevention and/or treatment of transplant rejection.
US07820636B2
An object of the invention is to provide a substance that activates saccharide uptake in epidermal cells and is thus expected to be effective in promoting skin cell neogenesis and metabolism. The invention provides a promoter for saccharide uptake in epidermal keratinocytes which comprises a purine base or a salt thereof as an active ingredient. The present invention further provides a method of promoting saccharide uptake in epidermal keratinocytes, comprising applying a purine base or a salt thereof to the skin.
US07820633B2
A method is disclosed for inducing cell-mediated immunity against cellular antigens. More specifically, the invention provides for a method for inducing cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immunity against weak antigens, notably self-proteins. The method entails that antigen presenting cells are induced to present at least one CTL epitope of the weak antigen and at the same time presenting at least one foreign T-helper lymphocyte epitope. In a preferred embodiment, the antigen is a cancer specific antigen, e.g. PSM, Her2, or FGF8b. The method can be exercised by using traditional polypeptide vaccination, but also by using live attenuated vaccines or nucleic acid vaccination. The invention furthermore provides immunogenic analogues of PSM, Her2 and FGF8b, as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding these analogues. Also vectors and transformed cells are disclosed. The invention also provides for a method for identification of immunogenic analogues of weak or non-immunogenic antigens.
US07820624B2
A peptide consisting of or comprising an amino acid sequence selected from a) PX1X2X3T [SEQ.ID.NO.:1]; b) PSX4S [SEQ.ID.NO.:2]; c) QX5X6X7Q [SEQ.ID.NO.:3]; d) SX8S [SEQ.ID.NO.:4], in which X1, X2 and X3, which may be the same or different, each represents an amino acid residue; X4 represents an amino acid residue; and X5 and X7, which may be the same or different, each represents an amino acid residue, X6 represents an amino acid residue having an amide side chain; and X8 represent an amino acid having an aliphatic side chain, which peptide binds to dendritic cells and also to other types of cells. The peptide may be used a target non-viral and viral vectors to such cells.
US07820623B2
Disclosed is a composition of matter comprising an OSK1 peptide analog, and in some embodiments, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprises the composition and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are DNAs encoding the inventive composition of matter, an expression vector comprising the DNA, and host cells comprising the expression vector. Methods of treating an autoimmune disorder and of preventing or mitigating a relapse of a symptom of multiple sclerosis are also disclosed.
US07820618B2
The present invention relates to a method of improving the energy status of an individual by enhancing the usage of lactate. Improved lactate usage is accomplished through a composition comprising lactate precursors, adrenergic receptor agonists and insulinotropic agents.
US07820614B2
An article comprising a multiple use fabric conditioning composition that is operably connectable to the inside of a dryer is useful for softening fabric without staining the fabric and with reduced linting.
US07820607B2
A viscosity modifier for lubricating oils or an additive composition for lubricating oils, which is excellent in oil-thickening properties and can provide lubricating oil compositions excellent in low-temperature characteristics and handleability at low temperatures; and lubricating oil compositions excellent in low-temperature characteristics and handleability at low temperatures. The viscosity modifier comprises an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer (B) which comprises (i) a structural unit derived from ethylene, (ii) a structural unit derived from an α-olefin having 3 to 19 carbon atoms, and (iii) a structural unit derived from a higher α-olefin having 4 to 20 carbon atoms whose carbon number is by one or more larger than that of the α-olefin having the unit (ii) which has the following properties of (1) and (2): (1) the contents of units (i), (ii) and (iii) are 25-49 mol %, 15-55 mol %, and 9-40 mol % respectively (with the proviso that the total of the units (i), (ii), and (iii) is 100 mol %) and (2) the intrinsic viscosity [η] is 0.5 to 5.0 dl/g.
US07820605B2
An oil-soluble lubricating oil additive composition prepared by the process which comprises reacting a copolymer, with at least one polyether aromatic compound.
US07820596B2
A thick film superconductor includes a substrate and a superconducting thick film formed on the substrate. The thick film is 1-20 microns thick with an average twin spacing to film thickness ratio of about 0.016, and is formed from an aqueous solution of YBC ions doped with a particulate rare earth oxide having a diameter of about 50-500 nm. The coated substrate is heat treated, preferably above 650 degrees C. and cooled at a rate less than 15 degrees C. per hour, resulting in a substantially fully oxygenated YBCO layer.
US07820593B2
The present invention provides a powdery plant vitalizer and a powdery plant vitalizer composition which are resistant to the oozing of effective components and from which effective components are easily dispersed when the vertilizer is in contact with water to give vitality to plants. Specifically, the present invention relates to a powdery plant vitalizer containing a particle containing at least one compound (A) selected from a specific monohydric or dihydric alcohol (A1), a specific ether compound (A2), a specific fatty acid or its ester compound (A3), a specific organic acid derivative (A4) and a glycerin derivative (A5), an emulsifying-dispersing agent (B) and water-soluble sugars (C) or a particle containing the component (A) and water-soluble sugars (C′) having an emulsifying and dispersing function, the particle having a structure in which the component (A) is dispersed in the form of an oil droplet in the particle, to a method of producing the powdery fertilizer and to a powdery plant fertilizer composition containing at least one selected from these powdery plant fertilizers and a fertilizer component.
US07820580B2
A nickel-carbene polymerization catalyst system for preparing high cis polydienes is provided. The catalyst system comprises (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol. Also provided is a process for producing a polydiene comprising reacting a conjugated diene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst comprising (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol.
US07820579B2
A method of restoring catalytic activity to a spent hydroprocessing catalyst that has a first carbon concentration. The concentration of carbon on the spent hydroprocessing catalyst is reduced to provide a carbon-reduced catalyst having a second carbon concentration that is less than the first carbon concentration. The carbon-reduced catalyst is exposed to a solution, comprising a chelating agent and a solvent, for an aging time period sufficient to provide for a restored catalytic activity thereby resulting in an aged catalyst having incorporated therein the chelating agent and the solvent. The aged catalyst is exposed to conditions, including a drying temperature, so as to remove from the aged catalyst a portion of the solvent without removing a significant portion of the chelating agent from the aged catalyst thereby resulting in a dried aged catalyst. The dried aged catalyst is then sulfur treated to thereby provide a restored catalyst. The restored catalyst and those catalysts made by the treatment method can be used in a hydroprocessing process comprising contacting the restored catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock under hydroprocessing conditions.
US07820569B2
A composite sheet used for artificial leather with low elongation and excellent softness which includes a non-woven fabric layer, a woven or knitted fabric layer and a polyurethane resin, wherein the non-woven fabric layer and the woven or knitted fabric layer are entangled with each other.
US07820568B2
A leather-like sheet excellent in repulsive feeling is provided by a leather-like sheet substantially including a fibrous material which is a leather-like sheet in which a staple fiber nonwoven fabric (A) in which ultra-fine fibers of an average single fiber fineness of 0.0001 to 0.5 dtex and an average fiber length of 1 to 10 cm are entangled with each other and a woven or knitted fabric (B) including a conjugate fiber in which two or more polyesters are disposed in side-by-side or eccentric sheath-core relationship are laminated.
US07820563B2
Compositions and methods for treating substrates, such as fibrous materials, are disclosed. Such compositions and methods can be used to impart or maintain a level of oil repellency and/or water repellency in fibrous substrates such as paper-based materials and/or textiles. In general, such compositions can utilize a copolymer having a plurality of polycationic segments, which can be joined by various other polymeric segments such as silicones and/or hydrophilic polymeric segments. The copolymer can be formulated as a highly-branched polymer, which can have substantivity to a fibrous material to impart oil repellency and/or water repellency. In several instances, the copolymer can be formulated to be fluorine-free. Various details of such copolymers are discussed, as well as methods of utilizing and making such copolymers.
US07820561B2
Coated, water-vapor-pervious and fungus resistant wovens, their production and also their use as sun and weather protection articles, a precleaned industrial woven fabric being treated at least once with an aqueous impregnant comprising a fungicide and a hydrophobicizer. The fabric thus impregnated and then dried is subsequently coated with an aqueous polyurethane dispersion which likewise contains a fungicide. After drying, the coated fabric is reimpregnated. The wovens are notable for fungus resistance, good water vapor perviousness and good watertightness against a high hydrohead in particular.
US07820558B2
A film with small hysteresis and high voltage resistance is obtained by reducing the carbon content in a gate insulating film on a SiC substrate. Specifically, the carbon content in the gate insulating film is set to 1×1020 atoms/cm3 or less. For this, using a plasma processing apparatus, a silicon oxide film is formed on the SiC substrate and then the formed silicon oxide film is reformed by exposure to radicals containing nitrogen atoms. Thus, the gate insulating film excellent in electrical properties is obtained.
US07820551B2
A line-form insulator is formed on a substrate and then the substrate is etched with the insulator used as a mask to form first trenches on both sides of the insulator. Side wall insulators are formed on the side walls of the first trenches, the substrate is etched with the insulator and side wall insulators used as a mask to form second trenches in the bottom of the first trenches. After, the substrate is oxidized with the insulator and side wall insulators used as an anti-oxidation mask to cause oxide regions formed on the adjacent side walls of the second trenches lying on both sides of the substrate to make contact with each other and the insulator and side wall insulators are removed. Then, a fin FET having a semiconductor region as a line-form fin is formed in the substrate.
US07820542B2
An adhesion layer of a hexagonal crystal is laid on a facet an optical resonator of a nitride semiconductor laser bar having a nitride-based III-V group compound semiconductor layer, and a facet coat is laid on the adhesion layer. In this way, a structure in which the facet coat is laid on the adhesion layer is obtained.
US07820537B1
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a polysilicon layer, a barrier metal layer, and a conductive layer over a substrate, forming gate hard masks over the conductive layer, etching the conductive layer and the barrier metal layer using the gate hard masks to form barrier metal electrodes and metal gate electrodes having a line width smaller than that of the gate hard masks, etching the polysilicon layer to form gate patterns, each gate pattern including a stack structure of a polysilicon electrode, the barrier metal electrode, the metal gate electrode, and the gate hard mask, forming a gate spacer over the surface profile of the substrate structure, forming an insulation layer over the gate spacer, etching the insulation layer to form a contact hole between the gate patterns and burying a conductive material over the contact hole to form a landing plug contact.
US07820536B2
By forming a thin passivation layer after the formation of openings connecting to a highly reactive metal region, any queue time effects may be significantly reduced. Prior to the deposition of a barrier/adhesion layer, the passivation layer may be efficiently removed on the basis of a heat treatment so as to initiate material removal by evaporation.
US07820530B2
A method for forming a body contacted SOI transistor includes forming a semiconductor layer (103) having a body contact region (120), a body access region (121), and an active region (122). An SOI transistor is formed in the active region by etching a metal gate structure (107, 108) to have a first portion (130) formed over the active region, and a second portion (131) formed over at least part of the body access region. By implanting ions (203, 301) at a non-perpendicular angle into an implant region (204, 302) in the body access region so as to encroach toward the active region and/or under the second portion of the etched metal gate structure, silicide (306) may be subsequently formed over the body contact region and the implant region, thereby reducing formation of a depletion region (308) in the body access region.
US07820520B2
An integrated circuit has a plurality of terminals for making electrical connection to the integrated circuit. At least one device is formed adjacent an outer edge of the integrated circuit. The device includes at least one metal conductor for forming an edge seal for protecting the integrated circuit during die singulation. The device is coupled to one or more functional circuits within the integrated circuit by routing the at least one metal conductor to the one or more functional circuits, the at least one device providing a reactance value to the one or more functional circuits for non-test operational use. The device may be formed as one or more capacitors or as one or more inductors. Various structures may be used for the capacitor and the inductor.
US07820510B2
A method of fabricating a flash memory and an isolating structure applied to a flash memory is provided. The feature of the method lies in a T-shaped shallow trench isolation (STI). The T-shaped STI has a widened cap covering on a substrate and a tapered bottom embedded in the substrate. The widened cap of the T-shaped STI can provide a high process widow when fabricating the floating gate wings, and the product yield will thereby be increased.
US07820508B2
A semiconductor device having a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same may be provided. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include forming an etch stop layer and a mold layer sequentially on a substrate, patterning the mold layer to form a mold electrode hole exposing a portion of the etch stop layer, etching selectively the exposed etch stop layer by an isotropic dry etching process to form a contact electrode hole through the etch stop layer to expose a portion of the substrate, forming a conductive layer on the substrate and removing the conductive layer on the mold layer on the mold layer to form a cylindrical bottom electrode in the mold and contact electrode holes. The isotropic dry etching process may utilize a process gas including main etching gas and selectivity adjusting gas. The selectivity adjusting gas may increase an etch rate of the etch stop layer by more than an etch rate of the mold layer by the isotropic wet etching process.
US07820502B2
A method for forming carbon nanotube field effect transistors, arrays of carbon nanotube field effect transistors, and device structures and arrays of device structures formed by the methods. The methods include forming a stacked structure including a gate electrode layer and catalyst pads each coupled electrically with a source/drain contact. The gate electrode layer is divided into multiple gate electrodes and at least one semiconducting carbon nanotube is synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition process on each of the catalyst pads. The completed device structure includes a gate electrode with a sidewall covered by a gate dielectric and at least one semiconducting carbon nanotube adjacent to the sidewall of the gate electrode. Source/drain contacts are electrically coupled with opposite ends of the semiconducting carbon nanotube to complete the device structure. Multiple device structures may be configured either as a memory circuit or as a logic circuit.
US07820496B2
A thin film transistor substrate and method of manufacturing a thin film transistor substrate through a 3-sheet mask process includes forming a first conductive film on a substrate; forming a gate line including a gate electrode using a first photoresist film pattern formed on the first conductive film through a first mask with a desired pattern formed thereon; sequentially forming a gate insulation film, an active layer, an ohmic contact layer, a second conductive film and a protection film on an entire surface of the substrate; forming an active region and a data line including source-drain electrodes using a second photoresist film pattern that has different thicknesses in predetermined regions and is formed on the protection film through a second mask with a desired pattern formed thereon; forming a contact hole by exposing a channel region of the active layer and partially exposing the source-drain electrodes using the second photoresist pattern; forming a third conductive film on the entire surface of the substrate; and forming a pixel electrode to be connected to the contact hole using a third photoresist film pattern formed on the third conductive film through a third mask with a desired pattern formed thereon. The present invention further provides a liquid crystal display having the same.
US07820493B1
A fuse structure, an integrated circuit including the structure, and methods for making the structure and (re)configuring a circuit using the fuse. The fuse structure generally includes (a) a conductive structure with at least two circuit elements electrically coupled thereto, (b) a dielectric layer over the conductive structure, and (c) a first lens over both the first dielectric layer and the conductive structure configured to at least partially focus light onto the conductive structure. The method of making the structure generally includes the steps of (1) forming a conductive structure electrically coupled to first and second circuit elements, (2) forming a dielectric layer thereover, and (3) forming a lens on or over the dielectric layer and over the conductive structure, the lens being configured to at least partially focus light onto the conductive structure. The method of (re)configuring a circuit generally includes the steps of (i) irradiating at least one lens on or near a surface of the circuit sufficient to electrically disconnect a corresponding first fuse positioned under the lens and disable a first configuration of the circuit, and (ii) irradiating at least one other lens on or near the surface of the circuit sufficient to electrically disconnect a corresponding second fuse positioned under that lens and enable a second configuration of the circuit. The structure and methods advantageously provide fuse structures having improved reliability and smaller chip area, thereby increasing the yield of the manufacturing process and the numbers of die per wafer (both gross and good).
US07820479B2
There is provided a method of mounting one conductive ball on each of a plurality of connection pads on a substrate. The method includes: (a) providing a pre-alignment base including: a support layer formed to allow a flux to pass therethrough; and an alignment layer provided on the support layer and having pockets for containing the conductive ball; (b) applying a paste containing the conductive balls dispersed in the flux onto the alignment layer such that each of the pockets receives one of the conductive balls together with the flux; (c) aligning the pre-alignment base with the substrate such that each of the pockets corresponds to one of the connections pads; and (d) transferring the paste contained in each of the pockets onto the connection pads, thereby mounting the conductive balls along with the flux on the connection pads.
US07820473B2
A Schottky diode capable of sustaining a voltage of greater than about 250 volts and a method for its manufacture. An epitaxial layer of N-type conductivity is disposed on a semiconductor substrate of N-type conductivity. A guard ring of P-type conductivity extends into the epitaxial layer from its surface. A stacked structure is formed on a portion of the guard ring and a portion of the epitaxial layer. The stacked structure includes a layer of semi-insulating semiconductor material disposed on a layer of dielectric material. A first metal layer is formed on the portion of the epitaxial layer adjacent a first side of the stacked structure and on a first portion of the stacked structure. A second metal layer is formed on the portion of the epitaxial layer adjacent a second side of the stacked structure and on a second portion of the stacked structure.
US07820469B2
General purpose methods for the fabrication of integrated circuits from flexible membranes formed of very thin low stress dielectric materials, such as silicon dioxide or silicon nitride, and semiconductor layers. Semiconductor devices are formed in a semiconductor layer of the membrane. The semiconductor membrane layer is initially formed from a substrate of standard thickness, and all but a thin surface layer of the substrate is then etched or polished away. In another version, the flexible membrane is used as support and electrical interconnect for conventional integrated circuit die bonded thereto, with the interconnect formed in multiple layers in the membrane. Multiple die can be connected to one such membrane, which is then packaged as a multi-chip module. Other applications are based on (circuit) membrane processing for bipolar and MOSFET transistor fabrication, low impedance conductor interconnecting fabrication, flat panel displays, maskless (direct write) lithography, and 3D IC fabrication.
US07820465B2
A circuit pattern is formed by following steps: forming a light-blocking mask over a major surface of a light-transmitting substrate, forming a first film in a first region over the substrate and the mask, forming a photocatalytic film in at least a part of the first region over the first film, changing wettability of the first film in a second region which is in the first region, being in contact with the photocatalytic film, and not overlapping the mask, by light irradiation from a back surface opposite to the major surface of the substrate, removing the photocatalytic film, and forming a composition including a pattern forming material in the second region.
US07820459B2
Methods relating to the reconstruction of semiconductor wafers for wafer-level processing are disclosed. Selected semiconductor dice having alignment cavities formed in a surface thereof are placed in contact with liquid, gel or other flowable alignment droplets in a similar pattern protruding from a substrate to position the dice through surface tension interaction. The alignment droplets are then solidified to maintain the positioning and an underfill is disposed between the dice and the fixture to strengthen and maintain the reconstructed wafer. A fixture plate may be used in combination with the underfill to add additional strength and simplify handling. The reconstructed wafer may be subjected to wafer-level processing, wafer-level testing and burn-in being particularly facilitated using the reconstructed wafer. Alignment droplets composed of sacrificial material may be removed from the reconstructed wafer and the resulting void filled to form interconnects or contacts on the resulting dice.
US07820454B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a device comprising (1) an array of electromagnetic elements comprising coils, metal cores, and metal core heads, and (2) a controller that is adapted to control a current for one or more coils individually, to vary the current for said one or more coils individually, to reverse the current for one or more coils individually, and to generate a specific magnetic flux distribution and gradient across two or more coils; wherein the metal core head is at one end of the coil and the metal core head has a geometry to create a desired magnetic flux, intensity and gradient, in a region of interest between two adjacent coils; further wherein the device is functionally coupled to a fluidic device to concentrate and transport magnetic particles in a fluid without fluidic movement of the fluid.
US07820452B2
Transparent elastomer safety shields for laboratory glassware subjected to vacuum evacuation, and for electronic components, is disclosed. Removable glassware sheaths permit viewing vacuum processes while protecting personnel from implosion hazards. Removable sheaths also permit adding conventional heat transfer materials such as powders, strips, and fluids to the sheath prior to securing to the glassware to assist evaporation and sublimation procedures. Further, the addition of thermally conductive nanopowders, such as copper, aluminum, and iron to flowable polymer formulations prior to curing into a solid elastomer, provides enhanced thermal conductivity for these transparent sheaths, and for “see through” heat sink potting compounds for protective covering of electronic components.
US07820441B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the production of viral vectors. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions for faster, higher titer and higher purity production of viral vectors (e.g. adenoviral vectors). In some embodiments, the present invention provides gutted and helper viruses with identical or similar termini. In other embodiments, the present invention provides terminal protein linked adenoviral DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides template extended adenoviral DNA.
US07820438B2
The present invention relates to primary cultured adipocytes for gene therapy, where the adipocytes stably maintain a foreign gene encoding a protein that is secreted outside of cells. This invention provides cells suitable for gene therapy, which can replace bone marrow cells and liver cells used for conventional ex vivo gene therapy. The present invention established methods for transferring foreign genes into primary cultured adipocytes, which are suitable for ex vivo gene therapy; can be easily collected and implanted; and can be removed after implantation. Specifically, the present invention established these methods that use retroviral vectors. The present invention also established primary cultured adipocytes for gene therapy, where the adipocytes stably maintain a foreign gene encoding a protein that is secreted outside of cells.
US07820437B2
We disclose a cell having double mutations of the hERG gene that lead to charge reversal amino acid substitutions at residues 466 and 534 of the wild type Kv11.1 channel protein. These double charge reversal mutations result in cells having constitutively open Kv11.1 channels. Such cells could be used in a method of testing development-stage drugs and other compounds for Kv11.1 channel block activity.
US07820435B2
The invention relates to a de novo synthesized plasmid. The plasmid comprises relevant sequences for plasmid replication and plasmid selection. The methods of making and use of the plasmid are disclosed. The plasmid can be used to make other plasmids. These plasmids and their host cells can be used for biomedical applications.
US07820434B2
A novel apparatus and device is described for reconstituting a bone sample with a biological fluid, such as concentrated plasma or saline solutions, for example, prior to surgical implantation into a patient. In particular, the invention comprises, in certain aspects, a container in which a bone sample may be reconstituted with the desired fluid by applying a vacuum within the container, thereby driving the fluid into the bone for complete, or near complete, permeation of the fluid into the interstices of the bone sample prior to surgical implantation.
US07820427B2
A variety of elastomeric-based microfluidic devices and methods for using and manufacturing such devices are provided. Certain of the devices have arrays of reaction sites to facilitate high throughput analyses. Some devices also include reaction sites located at the end of blind channels at which reagents have been previously deposited during manufacture. The reagents become suspended once sample is introduced into the reaction site. The devices can be utilized with a variety of heating devices and thus can be used in a variety of analyses requiring temperature control, including thermocycling applications such as nucleic acid amplification reactions, genotyping and gene expression analyses.
US07820426B2
The use of biomaterials, such as viruses and virus-like particles, to form nanostructures is generally disclosed. For instance, rod-like viruses can be used to form composite nanofibers that are fixed together in a head-to-tail assembly by a polymer. Also, 2-dimensional nanostructures formed from crosslinked viruses assembled in a single, film-like layer are generally disclosed. Porous gels having controllable pore size through the use of virus particles are also disclosed.
US07820415B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an aromatic L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of the ydiN gene, the ydiB gene, or both.
US07820412B2
A method is disclosed for the direct synthesis of double stranded DNA molecules of a variety of sizes and with any desired sequence. The DNA molecule to be synthesis is logically broken up into smaller overlapping DNA segments. A maskless microarray synthesizer is used to make a DNA microarray on a substrate in which each element or feature of the array is populated by DNA of a one of the overlapping DNA segments. The complement of each segment is also made in the microarray. The DNA segments are released from the substrate and held under conditions favoring hybridization of DNA, under which conditions the segments will hybridize to form duplexes. The duplexes are then separated using a DNA binding agent which binds to improperly formed DNA helixes to remove errors from the set of DNA molecules. The segments can then be hybridized to each other to assemble the larger target DNA sequence.
US07820407B2
Disclosed are a fatty acid synthase (FAS) from Schizochytrium, biologically active fragments and homologues thereof, a nucleic acid sequence encoding such FAS, fragments and homologues thereof, the gene encoding Schizochytrium FAS, host cells and organisms that recombinantly express the FAS, host cells and organisms in which the expression and/or activity of the endogenous FAS has been attenuated, and various methods for making and using any of these proteins, nucleic acid molecules, genes, host cells or organisms.
US07820404B2
The present invention provides a method for cleaving a glycated protein to obtain an amino acid or a peptide efficiently with a protease. By treating the glycated protein with the protease in the presence of a compound represented by R—X, the amino acid or the peptide is obtained by the cleavage. The R represents an alkyl compound with a carbon number of 9 or more, and preferably is straight-chain alkyl or straight-chain acyl with a carbon number of 9 to 16, branched-chain alkyl or branched-chain acyl with a carbon number of 10 to 40 and a main-chain carbon number of 9 to 16, or straight-chain alkyl that is substituted by cycloalkyl (a carbon number of the cycloalkyl ranges from 3 to 8, and a carbon number of the straight chain ranges from 4 to 13), where X is a sugar residue. Moreover, the glycated protein is, for example, glycated hemoglobin, and preferably β-chain N-terminal amino acid or a β-chain N-terminal peptide is cleaved by the protease treatment.
US07820391B2
A method of detecting a target nucleic acid.
US07820375B2
The invention concerns the use of at least a protein of the CRMP family, a polypeptide fragment or an active biological derivative thereof, a nucleotide sequence or sequence fragment coding for said protein, an antisense sequence capable of being specifically hybridized with a sequence with nucleotide-type encoding of said protein or an antibody directed against said protein for producing a medicine for treating diseases related to a dysfunction of the immune system. The invention also concerns a method for diagnosing an autoimmune pathology which consists in measuring the expression of a CRMP protein in the lymphocytes.
US07820371B2
It is intended to provide a method whereby a virus and leukocytes can be simultaneously eliminated from virus-containing blood and platelets can be recovered at a high yield, and a material and an apparatus therefor. A water-soluble carrier having surface which is capable of capturing a virus and leukocytes in blood but allows the permeation of platelets therethrough is brought into contact with virus-containing blood. Thus the virus and leukocytes can be simultaneously removed from the blood while platelets can be recovered at a high yield.
US07820370B2
A multicolor direct thermal imaging method and an imaging member for use therein, wherein a multicolor image is formed in a thermal imaging member having at least two different image-forming compositions capable of forming two different colors. Heat is used to form an image in the first color at a first speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, and heat is used to form an image in the second color at a second speed of travel of the thermal imaging member with respect to the source of heat, where the first speed of travel and the second speed of travel are different from each other.
US07820366B2
A method of writing identifying information comprises: the step of forming a metal film on a wafer; the step of forming a resist layer on the metal film; the step of exposing the resist layer by projecting a pattern for an alignment mark on the resist layer; the first development step of developing the resist layer; the step of exposing the resist layer by projecting a pattern for the identifying information onto the resist layer using the pattern formed in the resist layer in the first development step as a reference of a location; the second development step of developing the resist layer; the step of selectively etching the metal film using the resist layer as an etching mask; and removing the resist layer.
US07820365B1
A method to fabricate a tilted logpile photonic crystal requires only two lithographic exposures and does not require mask repositioning between exposures. The mask and photoresist-coated substrate are spaced a fixed and constant distance apart using a spacer and the stack is clamped together. The stack is then tilted at a crystallographic symmetry angle (e.g., 45 degrees) relative to the X-ray beam and rotated about the surface normal until the mask is aligned with the X-ray beam. The stack is then rotated in plane by a small stitching angle and exposed to the X-ray beam to pattern the first half of the structure. The stack is then rotated by 180° about the normal and a second exposure patterns the remaining half of the structure. The method can use commercially available DXRL scanner technology and LIGA processes to fabricate large-area, high-quality tilted logpile photonic crystals.
US07820362B2
A method of delineating a lithographic pattern on a material. A pattern to be delineated is divided according to first and second fields by first and second methods of division. Pattern segments contained in the first fields are divided in the X-direction, and data about the resulting pattern subsegments is obtained. Pattern segments contained in the second fields are divided in the Y-direction, and data about the resulting pattern subsegments is obtained. The two methods are so carried out that a pattern segment located across a field boundary during implementation of one of the two methods of division is located around the center of a field during implementation of the other method. In each field, the pattern segments obtained by the X division and Y division, respectively, are overlapped and written with a half of the dose normally used.
US07820361B2
A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and a photosensitive layer containing (A) an initiator compound, (B) a polymerizable compound and (C) a binder, wherein the photosensitive layer or other layer in contact with the support contains as (D) a component different from the component (C), a copolymer containing (a1) a repeating unit having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond introduced through an ion pair and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one functional group capable of interacting with a surface of the support.
US07820352B2
Image forming method comprising a step of fixing a toner image in a fixing device of a contact heating system, wherein the toner comprises a resin which comprises a polyester resin and a styrene-aryl resin and is formed by a process comprising allowing a polyvalent carboxylic acid and a polyvalent alcohol to condensation-polymerize in the presence of a styrene monomer and an acrylic acid ester monomer in an aqueous medium to form the polyester resin and allowing the styrene monomer and the acrylic acid ester monomer to radical-polymerize to form the styrene-acryl resin; the fixing device of a contact heating system comprises a heating roller and a belt-form pressure means.
US07820346B2
This invention relates to a method for collecting an Optical Proximity Correction parameter, which includes: performing an Optical Proximity Correction for a test line containing a non-right turning-angle to generate a to-be-exposed pattern having an assistant line; obtaining, by way of simulation or actual exposure, a formed line generated from the to-be-exposed pattern being exposed; and comparing the formed line with the test line to determine a difference there between so as to determine whether there is a redundant part and/or a missing part in the assistant line at location of the turning-angle of the test line. Being compared with the prior art, this invention sets the non-right turning-angle in the to-be-exposed test line. By comparing the formed line (which is generated by simulation or actual exposure) of the above test line with the test line itself, the redundant part and/or the missing part of the assistant line, as well as proximity data such as the position of the redundant part and/or the missing part and the like, can be obtained. Then, these proximity data can be used to correct and perfect the OPC model having a line containing a non-right turning-angle.
US07820336B2
A fuel cell bipolar plate has a front surface and a rear surface opposite to each other, and flash and a receding portion. The flash is provided on the front surface at an outer peripheral portion of the bipolar plate and projects in a direction crossing the front surface. The receding portion is provided on the rear surface at an outer peripheral portion of the bipolar plate in a geometry capable of accommodating flash.
US07820333B2
A fuel cell system wherein a plurality of fuel cells are arranged in a series of stages, the number of fuel cells decreasing in number in each stage from anode gas inlet to the anode gas outlet. The system allows for parallel flow to all of the cells in a given stage and series flow between the various stages. A similar configuration is present on a cathode side of the system. However, the direction of flow is reversed, providing a greater number of cells in the stage nearest the cathode outlet and a fewer number of cells in the stage near the cathode gas inlet. The invention further provides for the various stages to be configured such that the direction of flow of the anode gas of a given stage is generally opposite the direction of flow of the cathode gas of a given stage.
US07820329B2
A wafer alkaline cell of a laminar structure is disclosed. The cell has a pair of opposing sides comprising at least the majority of the boundary surface of said cell and defining a short cell dimension therebetween. The cell comprises an anode assembly and a cathode assembly bonded together to form a laminate structure. The cell comprises preferably two separate plastic frames housing the anode and cathode material. The anode current collector may be precoated with a sealing metal forming an alkaline resistant metal oxide film to improve bonding to the frame. The anode assembly has an anode material therein typically comprising zinc and the cathode assembly has a cathode material therein typically comprising manganese dioxide. The cell is durable and preferably rigid, has elongated leak block paths, and resists electrolyte leakage.
US07820325B2
An active material composition for an alkaline storage battery comprises a) an alloy capable of forming a hydride, of formula R1-yMgyNit-zMz in which R is La, optionally substituted by Nd and/or Pr, M is at least one element chosen from the group comprising Mn, Fe, Al, Co, Cu, Zr and Sn, in which 0.1≦y≦0.4, 3.2≦t≦3.5, and z≦0.5, and of which the equilibrium hydrogen pressure with the alloy, for a hydrogen insertion into the alloy of 0.5 H/Metal at 40°, is less than 0.7 bar, and b) a yttrium-based compound in a mixture with alloy a).
US07820321B2
A large stack redox flow battery system provides a solution to the energy storage challenge of many types of renewable energy systems. Independent reaction cells arranged in a cascade configuration are configured according to state of charge conditions expected in each cell. The large stack redox flow battery system can support multi-megawatt implementations suitable for use with power grid applications. Thermal integration with energy generating systems, such as fuel cell, wind and solar systems, further maximize total energy efficiency. The redox flow battery system can also be scaled down to smaller applications, such as a gravity feed system suitable for small and remote site applications.
US07820317B2
The invention relates to a method for treating all types of lithium anode cells and batteries by means of a hydrometallurgical process at room temperature. The treatment method enables cells and batteries comprising a metallic lithium-based anode or an anode containing lithium incorporated in an anodic insertion compound to be treated under safe conditions, thus enabling the metallic casings, electrode contacts, cathode metal oxides and lithium salts to be separated and recovered.
US07820314B2
The present invention relates to a novel proton-conducting polymer membrane based on polyazole block polymers which, owing to their outstanding chemical and thermal properties, can be used widely and are suitable in particular as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) for producing membrane electrode units or so-called PEM fuel cells.
US07820312B2
A fuel cell based power generator exhibits a plurality of different power outputs. A selection structure carried by the generator facilitates specification of a desired output power.
US07820306B2
Disclosed is an organic light emitting device. The organic light emitting device comprises a first electrode, organic material layer(s) comprising a light emitting layer, and a second electrode. The first electrode, the organic material layer(s), and the second electrode form layered structure and at least one layer of the organic material layer(s) include the compound of Formula 1 or the compound of Formula 1 into which a thermosetting or photo-crosslinkable functional group is introduced.
US07820300B2
An article of manufacture and a process for making the article by the anodization of aluminum and aluminum alloy workpieces to provide corrosion-, heat- and abrasion-resistant ceramic coatings comprising titanium and/or zirconium oxides, and the subsequent coating of the anodized workpiece with a second coating such as polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) or silicone containing coatings. The invention is especially useful for forming longer life coatings on aluminum substrates by pre-coating the substrate with an anodized layer of titanium and/or zirconium oxide that provides excellent corrosion-, heat- and abrasion-resistance in a hard yet flexible film.
US07820293B2
The invention relates to a metal substrate (11) coated at least partially with a layered structure. The layered structure comprises an intermediate layer (14) deposited on said substrate (11) and a tetrahedral carbon layer (16) deposited on said intermediate layer. The intermediate layer comprises at least one amorphous carbon layer having a Young's modulus lower than 200 GPa and the tetrahedral carbon layer has a Young's modulus higher than 200 GPa. The invention further relates to a method to improve the adhesion of a tetrahedral carbon layer to a substrate and to a method to bridge the gap in Young's modulus of the metal substrate and the Young's modulus of a tetrahedral carbon coating deposited on said metal substrate.
US07820288B2
This invention relates to an adhesive article which provides air egress. Air egress is provided by supplying a route, such as areas of no initial adhesion for the air to flow out from under the construction. The invention relates to an adhesive article comprising a facestock having a front surface and a back surface, a continuous layer of adhesive having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the upper surface of the adhesive layer is adhered to the back surface of the facestock, and a plurality of spaced-apart non-adhesive material which is in contact with the lower surface of the adhesive layer. These articles have usefulness as industrial graphics images, as well as decorative coverings, etc. The articles provide air egress and optionally repositionability and slideability.
US07820283B2
A metallized product includes a composite substrate or other substrate wherein at least a portion of the surface of the substrate is coated with an adhesion-promoting layer comprising resin and microballoons. A metallic coating is adhered to the adhesion promoting layer to produce the metallized surface. Methods for producing metallized products are also provided.
US07820282B2
The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.
US07820277B2
Disclosed is a wiper which is which is highly retentive of water, soft to the touch, and improved in sheet strength and a method for manufacturing the same. An interlining layer contains pulp fibers, first and second surfacing layers contain non-fusible fibers, and a reinforcing layer contains fusible fibers and rayon fibers. The fusible fibers are fusion-bonded but the non-fusible fibers remain unfused. Sheet surfaces are free from the fusible fibers.
US07820275B2
A photocurable composition comprising: (a) a cationically curable component preferably formed from one or more epoxy compound(s), (b) an acrylate component having no or a low amount of hydroxy groups preferably dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, (c) a polyol component, preferably a polyether polyol, (d) a cationic photoinitiator; and (e) a free radical photoinitiator. The composition may produce when cured three-dimensional articles with high clarity and improved mechanical properties.
US07820273B2
A substrate structure includes a substrate, a number of banks formed on the substrate, and a patterned layer. The banks and the substrate cooperatively define a number of accommodating rooms. The accommodating rooms are configured for accommodating ink. The patterned layer covers the bank between at least two adjacent accommodating rooms.
US07820264B2
A linerless label roll includes a web wound along a running axis, and having a series of index marks spaced longitudinally apart. A series of adhesive patches runs along the web, with differently sized adhesive-free zones therebetween in register with the index marks.
US07820259B2
An injection mold (20) includes a female mold (22) and a male mold (24) matingly engageable with the female mold. The female mold has a recess portion (222) defined therein. The male mold includes a mold core (240) mounted thereon corresponding to the recess portion of the female mold. The mold core includes a grating pattern (241) defined thereon and a first injection runner (244). The grating pattern is formed by a plurality of crisscrossed grooves (2412). The first injection runner communicates with at least one of the grooves of the grating pattern. A housing (10) made by the injection mold and method for making the housing by using the injection mold are also provided.
US07820255B2
A transparent film for display substrate containing a cellulose ester, a plasticizer content in an amount of less than 1 percent, the aforementioned film being drawn 3 through 100 percent both in the direction of conveyance and across the width.
US07820247B2
Curtain-type coater and process for coating a web with curtain-type coater. Curtain-type coater includes a curtain head having a slit structured and arranged to supply a coating liquid curtain onto a surface of a web and outside of the edges of the web. At least a portion of the slit forming the coating liquid curtain outside the edges of the web has a width greater than a portion of the slit forming the coating liquid curtain supplied onto the web.
US07820245B2
A method for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) generally includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an upper portion comprised of indium tin oxide; forming an aluminum layer on the upper portion of the substrate; forming a catalyst layer on the aluminum layer to obtain a treated substrate; annealing the treated substrate so as to transform the catalyst layer into a plurality of oxidized catalyst particles on the substrate; and growing a plurality of single-wall carbon nanotubes on the treated substrate using a chemical vapor deposition process.
US07820238B2
A method of manufacturing homogenous metal matrix composite (MMC) powders and using the powders as the feedstock with cold spray deposition is described to produce composite coatings and freestanding bulk forms. Measured quantities of metal and ceramic powders having predetermined particle sizes are blended to produce homogeneous MMC powders. Spray parameters and procedures are controlled to produce dense, strong and well-bonded MMC coatings on any substrate.
US07820233B2
The present invention relates to a method to fabricate a flip chip substrate structure, which comprises: providing a carrier; forming a patterned resist layer on the surface of the carrier; forming sequentially a first metal layer, an etching-stop layer, and a second metal layer; removing the resist layer, forming a patterned first solder mask, and then forming at least one first circuit build up structure thereon; forming additionally a patterned second solder mask on the circuit build up structure; respectively removing the carrier, the first metal layer, and the etching-stop layer; and forming solder bumps on both sides of the circuit build up structure. The method increases integration and achieves the purpose of miniaturization. The method solves the problem of circuit layer multiplicity and process complexity.
US07820230B2
An amount of leakage of a substrate-cooling gas into a vacuum container is measured by using a flow-rate measuring device so that the flow rate of a diluting gas that is the same as the substrate-cooling gas is controlled by a control device or a plasma doping time is prolonged, in accordance with the amount of leakage.
US07820225B2
Low sodium salt compositions containing a blend of sodium chloride and one or more magnesium, sodium and potassium salts are provided. Also provided are methods for making and using the compositions. Further provided are food products containing the compositions.
US07820222B2
The present invention relates to an organic, ergogenic, isotonic soft drink, composition causing and energy enhancing internally soothing effect: comprising a brewed extract from leaves of Cymbopogon Citratus, and of Ginger, and of Peppermint, Sugar or other sweeteners and optionally, other flavors and purified water and a method of producing the soft drink composition; which drink imbibed produces in the imbiber an energy, internally soothing effect which includes stimulation of mitochondrial efficiency in the digestive organs, and enhancement of a more efficient intake of oxygen into the user's body.
US07820218B2
A method for forming thin edible pieces uses two continuous belts that cooperate to form a fill cavity. An edible mass, such as chocolate, is flowed into the fill cavity where it forms an edible blank which is transported on a belt path with the two belts moving in tandem. After the edible blank is released from the first or second continuous belt, a three-dimensional shape may be imparted to the edible blank at a forming station using one or more stamping dies or a forming drum. Using the techniques and apparatus described herein, novel edible products, and particularly novel chocolate products, can be made having shape characteristics that cannot be obtained using known molding or forming techniques.
US07820217B2
The present invention relates to a quality improver for a deep-fried food, characterized in that the quality improver comprises a polysaccharide powder having an average particle size of 20 μm or less; a frying powder and a frying food comprising the quality improver; and a deep-fried food prepared by cooking using the quality improver or the frying powder.
US07820211B2
A cosmetic material, cell growth promoting agent, elastase activity inhibiting agent and anti-aging agent containing sweet pea extract, formulated with the aim of preventing or slowing aging.
US07820210B2
Methods and apparatus are provided to prevent, treat, and cure chemotherapy induced nausea in human beings. The inhalation of an effective amount of vaporized essential oil from Mentha piperita (peppermint oil) has been shown in practice to prevent, treat, and cure chemotherapy induced nausea. A simple hand-held apparatus provides the vapors to be inhaled through the nostril to prevent, treat, and cure chemotherapy induced nausea.
US07820197B2
A bisphosphonic acid derivative-containing percutaneous preparation of an excellent percutaneous permeability, comprising a bisphosphonic acid derivative such as incadronic acid, minodronic acid, etc., or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a solubilizing agent for the derivative or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and an amphiphilic solubilizing auxiliary agent, which may optionally contain a suspension-type base such as a polyvalent alcohol, a higher fatty acid ester, a liquid hydrocarbon or a vegetable oil, etc. This preparation has an excellent percutaneous permeability, reduces burdens on the patient, does not deteriorate the patient's compliance even in the administration over a prolonged period of time and can achieve the therapeutic effects in a short period of time.
US07820195B2
The invention provides micronized encapsulated cell therapy devices that are capable of delivering a biologically active molecule to the eye. Also provided are methods of using the same to deliver biologically active molecules to the eye and to treat ophthalmic disorders in patients suffering there from.
US07820194B2
An improved viscoelastic composition useful in the performance of ophthalmic surgical procedures and especially cataract procedures is disclosed. The embodiments of the composition comprise combinations of sodium hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate and exhibit an improved rheological profile.
US07820192B2
The present invention relates to a method for remotely controlling a sol-gel transition of hydrogels and a method for delivering a drug using the same. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of remotely controlling a sol-gel transition of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-containing hydrogels—three-dimensional networks of crosslinked polymer chains—by X-ray irradiation, and relates to a method for delivering a drug using the same.
US07820188B2
Disclosed are substrates suited for dispensing air treatment chemicals upon being heated. Granular particles, preferably sand with a phenolic binder, are adhered together to form a substrate body having a network of pores. A volatile air treatment chemical is disposed in the pores. The particle size and pores are such that the smaller particles of the substrate are grouped at one end, preferably an end adjacent to a projecting nose. This structure tends to wick the volatile air treatment chemical towards the nose, and heating that area can lead to efficient, and rechargeable, dispensing. Methods for using such substrates, and methods for forming such substrates, are disclosed.
US07820187B2
A mixture for application on an animal to provide barrier protection against insects, parasites, arachnids and/or other arthropods, and ectoparasites, and in general viruses, bacteria and/or other microorganisms is provided. The mixture includes a carrier or combination of carriers, especially mineral oil, that at least after application has an absolute or resultant viscosity of from 100 to 1200, and especially greater than 120, and especially 300 to 650 S.U.S. The mixture also includes an insecticide, ectoparasitide, insect or other arthropod growth regulator (IGR), viricide, bacteriacide and/or bacteriostatic compound that is blended with the carrier and that acts non-systemically. The mixture contains essentially no surfactant, emulsifier, or emulsifying agent, either in solution or suspension.
US07820185B2
An OMV preparation comprises OMVs having a sufficiently positive or negative surface charge to substantially prevent aggregation.
US07820157B2
A viral or non-viral vector particle having a modified viral surface protein wherein the viral surface protein is modified to include a targeting polypeptide including a binding region which binds to an extracellular matrix component. Such vector particles are useful in delivering genes encoding therapeutic agents to cells located at the site of an exposed extracellular matrix component.
US07820153B2
cis-Jasmone has been discovered to be useful as a semiochemical that changes the behavior of insects and/or the physiology of plants. It has direct signalling roles with plant-feeding aphids, in attraction of aphid predators and parasitoids, and may act as an airborne signal inducing production of volatile plant semiochemicals, including the monoterpene (E)-β-ocimene, that stimulate foraging by parasitoids. It is an extremely benign compound having, to human beings, a pleasant aroma and gives a long-lasting effect after removal of the stimulus.
US07820148B2
The invention concerns a non-therapeutic treatment of the hair and/or the scalp for men and women, wherein it consists in locally applying at the surface of the scalp a complex nutritional base in aqueous medium, comprising at least one fraction of amino acids, one fraction of water soluble vitamins, one inorganic fraction, including trace elements and metal salts but excluding any cell growth factor and/or any untraceable biological extract of animal or cellular origin.
US07820147B2
Hair restorative compositions useful in repairing damaged hair include at least one hair shaft bonding agent dispersed within an appropriate solvent or carrier, such as water. When applied to damaged hair, the hair shaft bonding agent adsorbs into and bonds to the damaged hair shaft, filling in discontinuities and adhering split ends or loosened cuticle layers back together within the main hair shaft. A wetting agent may be included to facilitate absorption and bonding of the hair shaft bonding agent to hair. A thickening agent may be included to yield a hair restorative composition that is much easier to apply compared to runny compositions having the consistency of water. A conditioner may be added to nourish and condition the hair. The inventive hair restorative compositions are able to permanently repair damaged hair, thereby resulting in hair that is stronger, healthier, and more resistant to further damage.
US07820144B2
Disclosed are cannabimimetic aminoalkylindole compounds and methods for their manufacture. The disclosed compounds are surprisingly potent and selective cannabinoids. The disclosed compounds may include radioactive atoms. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compounds, including use of the disclosed compounds to stimulate a cannabinoid receptor, to provide a physiological effect in an animal or individual, to treat a condition in an animal or individual and for use in radioimaging.
US07820134B2
There are described a process and a plant for producing sulfuric acid by catalytic oxidation of SO2 to SO3 and subsequent absorption of SO3 in sulfuric acid, wherein the SO3 is introduced into a first absorption stage and absorbed there in concentrated sulfuric acid, wherein the sulfuric acid having a higher concentration due to the absorption is passed through a heat exchanger and cooled, and wherein the non-absorbed SO3 is supplied to a second absorption stage for the further absorption in sulfuric acid. Before the first absorption stage a partial stream of SO3 is branched off and supplied directly to the second absorption stage.
US07820133B2
A method for growing an array of carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; (b) forming a catalyst film on the first surface of the substrate; (c) flowing a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas over the catalyst film; (d) providing a semiconductor laser system to generate a focused laser beam; and (e) irradiating the focused laser beam on the substrate to grow an array of carbon nanotubes on the substrate.
US07820132B2
Apparatus (210) for producing a multi-wall carbon nanotube (213) may comprise a process chamber (216), a furnace (217) operatively associated with the process chamber (216), and at least one filament (218) positioned within the process chamber (216). At least one power supply (220) operatively associated with the at least one filament (218) heats the at least one filament (218) to a process temperature. A gaseous carbon precursor material (214) operatively associated with the process chamber (216) provides carbon for forming the multi-wall carbon nanotube (213). A metal catalyst material (224) operatively associated with the process (216) catalyzes the formation of the multi-wall carbon nanotube (213).
US07820130B2
Functionalization of nanodiamond powder through fluorination and subsequent derivatization reactions
The present invention is directed to functionalized nanoscale diamond powders, methods for making such powders, applications for using such powders, and articles of manufacture comprising such powders. Methods for making such functionalized nanodiamond powders generally comprise a fluorination of nanodiamond powder. In some embodiments, such methods comprise reacting fluorinated nanodiamond powder with a subsequent derivatization agent, such as a strong nucleophile.
US07820129B2
The invention relates to a method for producing carbon or HV graphite electrodes, in which a carbon carrier is mixed with a hydrocarbon-containing binder, and the mixture is subjected to a coking process and/or graphitization process, and one or more synthetic titanium compounds are additionally added to the raw materials. The titanium compound is preferably comprised of TiO2. Iron oxide can be added as an accompanying substance.
US07820127B2
A method for producing nitrogen trifluoride related to the present invention is characterized in that a fluorine gas and an ammonia gas are fed into a tubular reactor and are reacted with each other in the presence of a diluting gas in a gaseous phase under the condition of no catalyst to produce a gas product mainly composed of nitrogen trifluoride and a solid product mainly composed of ammonium fluoride and/or acidic ammonium fluoride, and then the solid product attached to an inner wall of the tubular reactor is removed by means of a device for removing the solid product, which device is mounted to the tubular reactor.
US07820123B2
As a device for the purification of exhaust gas, a three-way catalyst A purifying hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide in the vicinity of theoretical air-fuel ratio is disposed at an upstream side of the exhaust gas and an adsorption catalyst B provided with zeolite effective for the adsorption of hydrocarbon is disposed at a downstream side of the exhaust gas.
US07820107B2
An optical waveguiding optical format enables consistent optical analysis of small sample volumes with minimal variation in light path length among optical formats. The optical format is comprised of an input guide, an output guide, and a sample cavity adapted to allow light to pass through a sample on its way from the input guide to the output guide. A lid removed from the light pathway within the format may be provided with a reagent for assisting fluid analysis.
US07820106B2
A sensor platform for use in sample analysis comprises a substrate (30) of refractive index (n1) and a thin, optically transparent layer (32) of refractive index (n2) on the substrate, (n2) is greater than (n1). The platform incorporates one or multiple corrugated structures in the form of periodic grooves (31), (33), which defines one or more sensing areas each for one or more capture elements. The grooves are so profiled, dimensioned and oriented that when coherent light is incident on the platform it is diffracted into individual beams or diffraction order resulting in reduction of the transmitted beam and an abnormal high reflection of the incident light thereby creates an enhanced evanescent field at the surface of the or each sensing area. The amplitude of this field at the resonant condition is greater by an order of approximately 100 than the field of prior art platforms so that the luminescence intensity created from samples on the platform is also increased by a factor of 100. Also disclosed are an apparatus incorporating the platform and a method of using the platform. Further increases of amplitude have been detected by using light having a linear component which gives rise to TM excitation and/or irradiating the platform from the substrate side.
US07820103B2
A diagnostic device comprising a sample inlet and a processing chamber having a window portion and a flat carrier having front surface, a back surface and one or more side surfaces, said front surface facing said processing chamber, said front surface having an active surface containing a diagnostic reagent immobilized to said active front surface and an extended front surface, wherein said window portion further contains a rim portion facing said extended front surface sealing said chamber versus said carrier through said extended front surface.
US07820101B1
A method for sanitizing a vehicle and/or structures to proactively combat Sick Car and Sick Building Syndrome, in addition to bacteria, fungal microorganisms, viruses, mildew and mold, and any variety of organisms including Escherichia coli, urine, feces, HIV-1, blood, and many pathogenic and environmental microbial organisms from vehicles and/or structures.
US07820096B2
Layers of materials are laminated together preserving potential spaces that can transmit pressure generated by the use of gases or fluids. Alternatively, pre-manufactured pressure conduits of suitable dimensions and geometries are integrated between the layers. Transmission of pressure to such conduits results in expansion of a compacted device to a predetermined shape. Maintenance and/or variation of said pressure results in preservation of said shape, fine static control of surface geometries and even remote control of precise movements. Osmotic Pressure is not required to achieve Turgor type control.
US07820094B2
A lightweight ready-mix concrete composition that contains 8-20 volume percent cement, 11-50 volume percent sand, 10-31 volume percent prepuff particles, 9-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, and 10-22 volume percent water, where the sum of components used does not exceed 100 volume percent;. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The slump value of the composition measured according to ASTM C 143 is from 2 to 8 inches. After the lightweight ready-mix concrete composition is set for 28 days, it has a compressive strength of at least 1400 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.
US07820093B2
A method for processing a stamp material generally includes: heating one of a pressing member and a surface layer of the stamp material; pressing the surface layer of the stamp material using the pressing member; and cooling the stamp material to normal temperature.
US07820090B2
The present invention is a toneable conduit that can transmit a signal and that can therefore be readily detected by toning equipment. In addition, the conduit of the invention can be readily coupled with other conduit to provide extended lengths of conduit. The toneable conduit includes an elongate polymeric tube having a wall with an interior surface, an exterior surface, and a predetermined wall thickness. A channel preferably extends longitudinally within the wall of the elongate polymeric tube and a stabilizing rib extends longitudinally along the interior surface of the wall of the elongate polymeric tube and is located radially inward from the channel. A continuous wire is coincident with the channel in the elongate polymeric tube and is preferably coated with a coating composition that prevents the wire from adhering to the polymer melt used to form the elongate polymeric tube. The present invention further includes methods of making the toneable conduit and methods of coupling a first toneable conduit with a second toneable conduit.
US07820080B2
A method for producing a polarizing film, including: a dyeing step and a stretching step, a plurality of films being dipped into at least one processing liquid without contacting each other.
US07820078B2
Disclosed are a light-emitting diode, a photovoltaic device, a transistor, and an electroluminescent device, each comprising a layer disposed on a support, the layer comprising a [A] composition exclusive of hydroquinone comprising at least one polymer comprising (3,4-dialkoxythiophene) monomer units, a polyanion, at least one polyhydroxy group-containing aromatic compound exclusive of sulfo groups, at least one amino-compound or heterocyclic compound with at least one ring nitrogen atom, and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxy- and/or carboxy group or amide or lactam group containing aliphatic compounds and aprotic compounds with a dielectric constant ≧15.
US07820070B2
A photosensitive monomer of formula. “L1”, “L2”, “L3”, “L4”, “L5”, “L6” are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, alkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and alkylcarbonyloxy having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, in which one or more hydrogen atoms may be substituted by fluorine or chlorine.“R1”, “R2”, “R3” and “R4” are selected from hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, cyano, thiocyanato, pentafluoro sulfanyl, nitrite, straight-chained alkyl/branched alkyl, and a “Z-Sp-P” group. At least one of “R1”, “R2”, “R3” and “R4” is “Z-Sp-P” group. “Z” is selected from oxygen, sulfur, methyoxy, carbonyl, caroboxyl, carbamoyl, methylthio, ethenylcarbonyl, carbonylethenyl, and a single bond. “Sp” is selected from straight-chained alkyl or branched alkyl and a single bond. “P” comprises a polymerizable group.
US07820066B2
A fluid composition includes a coolant and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the coolant. The plurality of nanoparticles includes glass, silica, pumices, metal compounds adapted to react with chloride in the coolant, and/or mixtures thereof. The plurality of nanoparticles substantially increases heat capacity of the coolant and enhances heat transfer efficiency of the fluid composition.
US07820065B2
This invention relates to an additive for a non-aqueous electrolyte of an electric double layer capacitor comprising a combustion inhibiting substance releasing compound capable of releasing a combustion inhibiting substance having particularly excellent combustion inhibiting effect during combustion, and more particularly to an additive for a non-aqueous electrolyte of an electric double layer capacitor comprising a combustion inhibiting substance releasing compound which releases a combustion inhibiting substance during combustion, characterized in that the combustion inhibiting substance is a phosphine oxide compound having P—F bond and/or P—NH2 bond in its molecule.
US07820056B2
A coagulation sedimentation process for water to be treated in which an inorganic coagulant used in a purified water treatment system is limited, and remaining micro flocks and flocks are made greater in density and finer in particle size, thus obtaining clear water better in quality and reducing the amount of sludge production, including a micro flocculation step for micro-flocculating in advance fine suspended particles in water to be treated, a flocculation step for the micro flocks, and a sedimentation separation step for the flocks, in which as a final stage of the flocculation step, a flock-forming inclined plate whose pitch width is from 5 mm or more to 50 mm or less is provided, and an inorganic coagulant is limited so that the turbidity of the water to be treated after passage of the inclined plate at a ratio to that before passage is 4/5 or less.
US07820054B2
A method of removing solids from the slurry at a construction site located on or near a stream in order to improve the quality of water discharged into the stream by forming treatment zones for receiving slurry, said zones comprising walls of filter bags and floors of filter skirts, said bags and skirts comprising geotextile material and the bags being filled with a shredded rubber and woodchip combination.
US07820051B2
A method, process and system for the recycling of electrochemical-mechanical planarization slurries/electrolytes as they are used in the back end of line of the semiconductor wafer manufacturing process is disclosed. The method, process and system includes with the removal of metal ions from slurries using ion exchange media and/or electrochemical deposition.
US07820047B2
A wastewater treatment system has two separate but interlinked tanks containing four different zones, namely aerobic, microaerophilic, anoxic and anaerobic, for the biological treatment of the wastewater, as well as two clarification zones and a filtration unit for separation of solids from liquid. The first tank contains the aerobic, microaerophilic and anoxic zone as well as a clarification zone, while the second dank includes the anaerobic zone, a solid-liquid separation zone and a filtration unit. The aerobic zone is an airlift reactor that contains air diffusers at the bottom of the zone to introduce air into the zone. The air bubbles mix the liquid and its content of microorganisms, and provide oxygen for the aerobic biological processes that take place in this zone. Aeration also produces circulation of liquid between the aerobic zone and its adjacent microaerophilic and anoxic zones that are located at the sides and under the aerobic zone, respectively. The aerobic zone contains suspended microorganisms of heterotrophic and autotrophic groups that grow inside the circulating liquid, known as mixed liquor. Within the volume of the aerobic zone, loose carrier material or stationary objects are disposed to support the attachment of microbial biomass and the formation of microbial biofilm.
US07820046B2
A filter assembly is provided for obtaining a filtered liquid sample from slurry, such as a liquid process stream that contains liquid, dissolved matter and solids. A housing defines a cavity. A rod is arranged in the cavity and supports a filter. A cartridge comprises the filter, and is arranged between the housing and the rod. Furthermore, there is a helicoidal passage for a slurry defined by the housing and the cartridge. There is also a cavity defined by the rod and the cartridge. The slurry has velocity that generates scouring and cleaning action on the filter media thus preventing cake formation on the filter. The filtering apparatus of the present invention provides reliable and continuous on-line sample delivery for an analyzer.
US07820040B2
A filtration device and method for removing pollutants from fluid such as storm-water. The filtration device has a chamber including a series of pivotal filtration assemblies each including a weir and filter. The filters are selected and positioned for sequentially filtering larger then smaller pollutant particles from the water flowing through the device. The weirs are configured and positioned for sequentially permitting water overflow of (and thereby taking off-line) the smaller-particle size filters then the larger-particle size filters from the water flowing through the device. And the filtration assemblies are pivotally mounted to the chamber walls and configured so that, when one of the filters becomes clogged, the water pressure against it causes that filter assembly to pivot into a bypass position permitting water to flow under it.
US07820039B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for the continuous filtering of impurities from a flowable compound, especially a plastic melt, comprising a filter insert (3) in the form of a hollow rotary body which is held to rotate about its rotational axis (A) relative to a housing (1, 2) and is flowed through by the flowable compound and which is arranged in a flow conduit of the housing (1, 2) between a feed conduit (7) for the compound to be filtered and a discharge conduit (8) for the filtered compound, and a discharge apparatus for impurities held back by the filter, which apparatus comprises a feed screw (9) cooperating with the filter insert (3). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the filter insert (3) comprises a disk-like filter (5) which is arranged on the face side of the rotary body and is coaxial to the rotational axis (A).
US07820033B2
A process for increasing ethylene yield in a cracked hydrocarbon is provided. A hydrocarbon feed stream comprising at least 90% by weight of one or more C4-C10 hydrocarbons can be heated to provide an effluent stream comprising at least 10% by weight propylene. The effluent stream can be selectively separated to provide a first stream comprising heavy naphtha, light cycle oil, slurry oil, or any combination thereof and a second stream comprising one or more C4-C10 hydrocarbons. The second stream can be treated to remove oxygenates, acid gases, water, or any combination thereof to provide a third stream comprising the one or more C4-C10 hydrocarbons. The third stream can be selectively separated to provide a product stream comprising at least 30% by weight propylene. At least a portion of the product stream can be recycled to the hydrocarbon feed stream to increase ethylene yield in the effluent stream.
US07820032B2
The main distinctive feature of the method lies in the fact that the hydrocarbon material is affected through primary and principal excitation by means of electromagnetic vibrations. The primary influence upon the hydrocarbon material is carried out prior to its feeding for thermal cracking, while the, principal influence is fulfilled in the rectifying column. For the method to be implemented, the primary excitation source in the installation is realized in a form of an electromagnetic oscillator, and the rectifying column is realized with possibility of resonance excitation provided, being the main exciter of the hydrocarbon material. The invention makes it possible to increase the percentage of output of lighter fractions, as well as to raise the quality of processing of raw materials.
US07820029B2
A system of measuring pH of a solution having a calibration device to counteract time-drift effect. The calibration device of the system adjusts a compensation voltage to zero a measuring voltage of a first sensor and only respond to time-drift voltage of the first sensor. The calibration device has a differential operation amplifier receiving measuring voltages from the first sensor and a second sensor of the system to eliminate the time-drift voltages of the first and second sensors, thereby achieving calibration of the time-drift effects.
US07820026B2
Generally, the process includes depositing a barrier layer on a feature formed in a dielectric layer, decorating the barrier layer with a metal, performing a grafting process, initiating a copper layer and then filing the feature by use of a bulk copper fill process. Copper features formed according to aspects described herein have desirable adhesion properties to a barrier layer formed on a semiconductor substrate and demonstrate enhanced electromigration and stress migration results in the fabricated devices formed on the substrate.
US07820023B2
An arrangement for two-dimensional separation of a complex analyte mixture is provided comprising a first separation device for the separation in a first dimension and a second device for the separation in the second dimension. In the area of the interface between the first and the second device a concentration zone is arranged for concentrating the individual sample fractions or components, respectively, leaving the first device before introduction into the second device. The concentration zone is defined in a segment between two or more electrodes seen in flow direction of the sample or sample fractions to be separated. The concentration is achieved by applying a voltage between two electrodes with polarity opposite to the charge of the components of the fraction, sufficiently strong to win the dragging force of the hydrodynamic flow. The introduction into the second device is carried out by turning off the potential difference between the electrodes.
US07820021B2
A flip chip mounting method which is applicable to the flip chip mounting of a next-generation LSI and high in productivity and reliability as well as a method for connecting substrates are provided. A circuit board 10 having a plurality of connecting terminals 11 and a semiconductor chip 20 having a plurality of electrode terminals 21 are disposed in mutually facing relation and a resin 13 containing conductive particles 12 and a gas bubble generating agent is supplied into the space therebetween. In this state, the resin 13 is heated to generate gas bubbles 30 from the gas bubble generating agent contained in the resin 13. The resin 13 is pushed toward the outside of the generated gas bubbles 30 by the growth thereof. The resin 13 pushed to the outside is self-assembled in the form of columns between the respective terminals of the circuit board 10 and the semiconductor chip 20. In this state, by pressing the semiconductor chip 20 against the circuit board 10, the conductive particles 12 contained in the resin 13 self-assembled between the facing terminals are brought into contact with each other to provide electrical connection between the terminals.
US07820018B2
A process and apparatus for applying an optical coating to a substrate, wherein a transition layer 12, which is used to match mechanical properties of a substrate 10 to mechanical properties of a layer system 16 to be applied upon the transition layer 12, is deposited on a front surface 20 of the substrate 10. For this purpose, during a sputtering process carried out in a vacuum chamber 18, reaction products 14 are incorporated at least virtually exclusively in the transition layer 12 on the substrate. This prevents other surfaces of the vacuum chamber 18 and the rear side 34 of the substrate 10 from being contaminated with the reaction products 14 and/or their precursors.
US07820014B2
A decoking system that not only enables an operator to remotely switch the coke-cutting process from boring to cutting mode without removing the drill stem from the coke drum, but also to remotely determine the drill stem's mode so that efficiency, safety and convenience are not compromised, is provided.
US07820011B2
A moistening nozzle of a paper web comprises a frame (1) into which air and water are conducted. Inside the frame (1) there is arranged a water nozzle (2) wherewith water is conducted to an outlet of the moistening nozzle and an air nozzle wherewith air is correspondingly conducted to the outlet. The air nozzle (3) and the water nozzle (2) are arranged one within the other such that the air and the water form water mist that is blown out from the moistening nozzle. The air nozzle (3) is provided with an inner thread (10) that brings the air in swirling motion.
US07819991B2
A ferritic stainless steel sheet for forming a raw material pipe for bellows pipe is excellent in formability and high-temperature properties (high-temperature salt corrosion resistance and high-temperature fatigue properties). Specifically, the ferritic stainless steel sheet for forming a raw material pipe for bellows pipe contains 0.015% by mass or less of C, 1.0% by mass or less of Si, 1.0% by mass or less of Mn, 0.04% by mass or less of P, 0.010% by mass or less of S, 11% to 19% by mass of Cr, 0.015% by mass or less of N, 0.15% by mass or less of Al, 1.25% to 2.5% by mass of Mo, 0.3% to 0.7% by mass of Nb, 0.0003% to 0.003% by mass of B, and the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. In the ferritic stainless steel sheet for forming a raw material pipe for bellows pipe, preferably, the average crystal grain diameter D of the steel sheet is 35 μm or less, and alternatively, the surface roughness Ra of the steel sheet is 0.40 μm or less.
US07819985B2
An apparatus for wet processing individual wafers comprising; a means for holding the wafer; a means for providing acoustic energy to a non-device side of the wafer; and a means for flowing a fluid onto a device side of the wafer.
US07819977B2
A spray-dried starch hydrolysate agglomerate product has a dextrose equivalent between 5 and 35, a moisture content <6% by weight, an unpacked bulk density between 0.4 and 0.6 g/cm3, compressibility less than 10%, particle sizes <5% by weight is >500 micron and <5% by weight is <53 micron, average particle size between 150-250 micron, a mechanical stability of >95%, a static angle of repose <45°, and dissolution speed <180 seconds. Spraying onto a solid powder material, a liquid material atomised by means of one or more two-fluid nozzles. Fluid heats and conveys this material. Injecting the solid powder in the top of the drying tower, the trajectory of the powder crosses the spray pattern of the atomised liquid. The liquid is atomised by one or more two-fluid nozzles is a starch hydrolysate solution using steam as the atomizing fluid.
US07819975B2
A deposition method and apparatus provide a uniform deposition rate and good reproducibility in a process used to deposit a material onto a substrate. The deposition method includes preparing a substrate on which a thin film is deposited, preparing a line source that includes a plurality of heating crucibles are disposed in line, and rotating the line source while depositing the deposition material on the substrate.
US07819965B2
A coating formulation contains the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) an organic acid-titanium compound having at least one titanium atom and at least one C2-12 aliphatic organic acid residual group as essential constituents and having no constituent other than the essential constituents, (B) fine particles of a titanate-based compound, said fine particles having an average particle size of from 10 to 100 nm, and (C) an organic solvent. A content of the components (A) is from 0.1 to 1.5 mol/kg in terms of titanium atoms, and a content of the component (B) is from 0.1 to 1.5 mol/kg in terms of titanium atoms. A production process for a titanate-based ceramic film, which makes use of the coating formulation, is also disclosed.
US07819957B2
An operating room filter system connectable to a surgical body gas evacuator, such as a trocar, that includes a carbon monoxide filter media that removes carbon monoxide from a surgical waste gas. In addition, the inclusion of further filter media upstream of the carbon monoxide filter media inhibits the saturation of the carbon monoxide filter media to thereby provide an extended life to the filtration system.
US07819953B2
The invention relates to air traps 13, particularly for chromatography systems, chromatography systems using such air traps and methods of using such chromatography systems, in which the air trap comprises a liquid inlet pipe 33, a liquid outlet pipe 35, a substantially cylindrical reservoir 25 between the inlet and outlet pipes 33, 35, and an air outlet opening, the air outlet opening being openable and closable by means of a valve, wherein the liquid inlet and outlet pipes 33, 35 connect to the reservoir 25 substantially tangentially to the reservoir wall 27, the inlet pipe 33 at a distance above the outlet pipe 35, arranged such that during use incoming liquid at a the maximum permitted flow rate travels a spiral path from the inlet pipe 33 to the outlet pipe 35.
US07819938B2
A method of making metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes is disclosed. A mixture of a transition metal compound and an aromatic polymer, a precursor of an aromatic polymer, or an aromatic monomer is heated to form a metal nanoparticle composition, optionally containing carbon nanotubes.
US07819935B2
A system for providing air substantially free from radioactive and toxic contaminates to a nuclear reactor habitability area is provided. The system can include at least one emergency air filtration unit structured and operable to provide air free from radioactive and toxic contaminates to the habitability area. The system can additionally include at least one stored energy power source structured and operable to provide operating power to each emergency air filtration unit.
US07819921B2
A linearly expanding spine cage has a minimized diameter in its unexpanded state that is equal to the diameter of an insertion groove cut into adjacent vertebral bodies. The cage conformably engages between the endplates of adjacent vertebrae to effectively distract the disc space, widen neuroforamina, stabilize the motion segments and eliminate pathologic spine motion. Angular deformities can be corrected, and natural curvatures maintained. The cage enhances spinal arthrodesis by creating a rigid spine segment. Expanding linearly (vertically, along the vertical axis of the adjacent spine) rather than uniformly, the cage height increases and holds the vertebrae with fixation forces greater than adjacent bone and soft tissue failure forces. Stability is thus achieved immediately, enabling patient function by eliminating painful motion. The cage width remains stable, so as to decrease impingement upon a second cage, or upon soft tissue structures in the immediate vicinity, including neural or vascular elements.
US07819919B2
A prosthesis is provided for implantation into a knee joint compartment between a femoral condyle and its corresponding tibial plateau without requiring bone resection. The prosthesis includes a body having a generally elliptical shape in plan and a pair of opposed surfaces where one of the surfaces is generally concave. The body further includes an exterior portion and an interior portion, where the exterior portion is constructed from a higher modulus material than the interior portion such that the body is at least slightly deformable.
US07819917B2
A method and construct for joint repair in which attachment of a double bundle graft ligament approximates anatomic orientation using interference fixation in a single bone tunnel. The double bundle graft features separable strands. A threaded screw is inserted between the separable strands and provides interference fixation of the graft against radially opposing walls defining the bone tunnel. Attachment of the graft using separated strands more closely approximate the configuration of the native ligament. The resulting reconstruction exhibits mechanical functionality that more accurately mimics that of the intact joint, with a minimum of associated tissue morbidity.
US07819907B2
A method and device for reattaching adjacent bone plates includes an inner seat, a pin, and an outer seat. The pin is fixedly connected to the inner seat. The outer seat is selectively connected to the pin so that adjacent bone plates are securely held in place between the inner seat and the outer seat. The outer seat includes a first outer seat and a second outer seat that are slidably connected together. The first outer seat has a slot. The second outer seat also has a slot. The first outer seat and the second outer seat are movable between a pin engaging position and a pin locking position.
US07819901B2
A device for securing a spinal rod to a spine includes a head adapted to secure the spinal rod, and a locking cap adapted to engage the head and the spinal rod, the locking cap having an unlocked position, an intermediate position, and a locked position. A method of securing the spinal rod to the device includes aligning the spinal rod to a desired position relative to the spine with the locking cap in the unlocked position.
US07819899B2
Spinal stabilization systems and the assembly, interconnection, and use of such systems are described which provide stabilization of vertebrae in the spine. Devices and methods of the invention may be used to attach a bone engaging element such as a fastener to a spinal stabilization element such as a rod or a cord by bonding with a bonding material. A spinal stabilization system of the invention may include a fastener with a connector portion, a spinal stabilization element, and a body. The body encloses a portion of the fastener and a spinal stabilization element to create a cavity. A bonding material may be applied to the cavity to bond a portion of the fastener with a portion of the spinal stabilization element. The system may also include cap to close the cavity.
US07819891B2
A medical device for placing an embolic device at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device is retained within the delivery catheter by a mechanical interlocking mechanism which includes an engagement member attached to the distal end of the pusher member and extends through a retaining ring at the proximal end of the embolic device. A detachment member extends through an aperture at the distal end of the engagement member thereby locking the embolic device onto the pusher member. A kicker member extends from the distal end of the pusher member and is biased so as to lift the retaining ring off of the engagement member to ensure the release of the embolic device when the detachment member is withdrawn from the aperture of the engagement member.
US07819889B2
A detachable introducer and method of using such introducer is disclosed for inserting an embolic coil deployment system into the tortuous vasculature of the human brain for placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm. The introducer includes a sheath having a lumen, a side opening and a longitudinal slit. A deployment catheter with a conical expander member is slideably disposed through the side opening of the sheath and through the lumen of the sheath. The conical expander member detaches the introducer from the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit of the sheath.
US07819888B2
A system for transplanting a bone plug from a donor site to a recipient site extracts the bone plug from the donor site, and then places a bone plug delivery device having a tip which is at least translucent and, preferably, clear over a tube containing the bone plug. The tip is then placed substantially over a pre-formed hole in the recipient site, whereafter the bone plug is forced from the tube, through the transparent tip, and into the pre-formed hole.
US07819884B2
A medical instrument assembly comprises a shaft, a tool carried by the distal end of the shaft for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an end effector, a threaded housing in which the threaded distal shaft end is configured for being screwed, and a first threaded piece disposed in the threaded housing and configured for being moved to actuate the end effector. The assembly further comprises an actuation element extending within the shaft. The actuation element includes a second threaded piece that distally extends from the threaded distal shaft end. The second threaded piece is configured for being screwed to the first threaded piece. A robotic system comprises the assembly, a user interface configured for generating command(s), a drive unit coupled to the actuating element, and an electric controller configured, in response to the command(s), for directing the drive unit to move the actuating element to actuate the tool.
US07819879B2
An instrument for guide pin placement in a femoral head and neck of a patient, the instrument having a reference pin guide member and a retrograde pin guide member adjustably attached to the reference pin guide member. The reference pin guide member has a bore configured for use in positioning and guiding an external reference pin. The retrograde pin guide member has a plurality of retrograde pin bores for use in positioning and guiding a retrograde reference pin into the femoral neck and head of the patient using a retrograde approach. If an initial retrograde reference pin is not positioned properly, one of the plurality of retrograde pin bores is used to insert another retrograde reference pin in a more desirable position using a retrograde approach.
US07819877B2
A bone plating apparatus includes a handle having extending therefrom a tissue expander for insertion through a skin incision and through the subcutaneous tissue surrounding a fractured bone. A bone plate may be secured to the handle during advancement of the tissue expander so as to deliver the bone plate to a desired location proximate to the fractured bone. Both the tissue expander and the bone plate may be advanced to the desired location proximate to the fractured bone under the visualization of an endoscope. A screw alignment jig is secured to the handle and has a guide hole which aligns with an access hole of the tissue expander. The alignment of the guide hole and the access hole allow for percutaneous screw insertion into the delivered bone plate. A method for plating a fractured bone is also disclosed.
US07819874B2
A bone segment positioning device including a base shaft, wherein the base shaft includes a base mating structure and an anchoring thread for securing the base shaft to a distal portion of a broken bone. Additionally, a collar shaft is provided, wherein the collar shaft includes a stabilizer base and a collar mating structure configured for associating with the base mating structure to secure the base shaft to the collar shaft. Moreover, a stabilizing device is provided, wherein the stabilizing device includes a collar configured for associating with the stabilizing base to secure the collar shaft with a proximal portion of the broken bone.
US07819872B2
An endoscopic forceps is disclosed including an end effector assembly having two jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is connectable to an electrosurgical energy source for conducting energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are biased to the first position. The end effector assembly of the endoscopic forceps further includes a wire snare having a proximal end connectable to an electrosurgical energy source and a distal end translatably extending out of one of the jaw members and operatively associated with the other of the jaw members. In use, withdrawal of the proximal end of the wire snare results in movement of the jaw members from the first position to a second position and clamping of the tissue between the jaws.
US07819868B2
An ablation catheter has improved fluid distribution structures. An ablation section at a distal end of the catheter is designed to provide a more uniform fluid flow emanating from the catheter. By creating a uniform fluid flow, a more uniform tissue lesion results and the possibility of charring the tissue is reduced. A combination of mesh material layers, porous materials, and dispersion channels or openings are used to achieve the uniform flow. The amount of fluid used as a virtual electrode to ablate the tissue is greatly reduced with the present invention. Further, the catheter may be used to create a single, uniform linear lesion by successive application of energy to adjacent portions of the ablation section, thus reducing the power required to create the desired lesion.
US07819862B2
Methods for curative ablation are provided to achieve the inactivation or destruction of fibrillar myocardium of the so-called AF nests. In addition, fibrillar myocardium may be identified and mapped by spectral analysis and phase study of the tissue during sinus rhythm. The procedure may be performed by transseptal puncture using only one catheter for ablation and mapping. The methods may be used to localize the application targets even during an arrhythmia.
US07819857B2
A deflectable catheter comprises a catheter body, a tip section, and a control handle for affecting deflection of the tip section. The tip section comprises a flexible tubing having proximal and distal ends and at least two lumens extending therethrough. The proximal end of the tip section is fixedly attached to the distal end of the catheter body. The flexible tubing comprises a plastic core, a metal braid over the core, a plastic skin over the braid, and at least two pieces of plastic tubing in longitudinal arrangement extruded over the plastic skin, wherein the at least two pieces of plastic tubing have different stiffnesses and are arranged with the stiffer plastic being proximal the less stiff plastic. The tip section is made by extruding a plastic core over at least one mandrel and braiding a metal over the plastic core. Thereafter, at least two pieces of plastic tubing having different degrees of stiffness are assembled along the length of the plastic core so that the piece of plastic tubing having the greatest stiffness is at the proximal end of the tip section and the piece of plastic having the lowest stiffness is near the distal end of the tip section. The pieces of plastic tubing are then melted to the plastic core.
US07819856B2
Methods and apparatus for treating infarcted regions of tissue following acute myocardial infarction
Apparatus and methods are provided for treating an infarcted region of myocardium following acute myocardial infarction by reducing the rate of blood flow through infarcted region, and then injecting a solution containing stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells or mediators of stem cell mobilization, migration and attachment into the effected region so that the stem cells become embedded therein and promote tissue regeneration. In a first embodiment, delivery of the stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells or mediators of stem cell mobilization, migration and attachment is accomplished using a catheter that relies upon antegrade flow through the coronary artery and a flow control catheter placed in the coronary sinus. In an alternative embodiment, the delivery catheter delivers the stem cells in a retrograde manner through the coronary sinus, and the delivery catheter further comprises an occlusion balloon for controlling outflow through the coronary sinus ostium.
US07819849B2
A laminated material suitable for use in forming body wearable pouches is disclosed. The laminated material comprises three distinct layers including a fabric layer, a film layer and an adhesive layer therebetween. The adhesive layer substantially continuously bonds the fabric layer to the film layer.
US07819848B2
Various improvements are made to catheters adapted to be flushed to remove air from within the catheter. For example, improved catheters include a catheter with a self-sealing seal at its distal end to pass a venting tube for removing air from within the catheter, a catheter having a distal end whose diameter is reduced to compress a seal adapted to pass a venting tube; a catheter having a cap at its distal end where the cap has a venting hole that is opened or closed depending on the conditions subjected to the shape-memory material of the cap; a catheter having a vent hole at its distal end; a catheter having an opening at its distal end that can be closed by a plug; and a catheter having a narrow neck with an opening to vent air and the neck is coupled to a tab where twisting the tab closes the opening in the neck.
US07819843B2
An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.
US07819840B2
A feeding tube device for delivering a substance into a stomach of a patient is disclosed, comprising a feeding tube, an overlapping segment integrally formed with and extending from the distal end of the feeding tube, and an inflation lumen defined within the feeding tube. The overlapping segment may be configured to surround at least a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube to form a balloon structure in communication with the inflation lumen. The overlapping segment may also be sealed against at least a portion of the distal end of the feeding tube device. A second overlapping segment may also be integrally formed with and extend from the proximate end of the feeding tube, with the second overlapping segment configured to surround at least a portion of the proximate end of the feeding tube to form a second balloon structure. A corresponding method of manufacturing is also disclosed.
US07819839B2
A disclosed reclining breast pumping system includes a breast shield that forms a passageway. Material of the breast shield adjacent to a first end of the passageway is shaped to fit over an area surrounding the areola and nipple of a woman's breast. Material of the breast shield that extends from a second end of the passageway is formed into a tube. When the breast shield is fitted onto a woman's breast, the part of the passageway closest to but not touching the nipple of the breast extends in a direction that is non-perpendicular to the areola. Variations and methods are also disclosed.
US07819838B2
A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly comprises a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The membrane is located between the lid and base portions along the fluid flow passage. A reinforcing structure, such as a ring or a rigid disk, is positioned between the fluid pressure membrane and the lid portion to provide increased resistance to pressure in the fluid flow passage. The ring or disk can be a separate component or formed on the membrane. The membrane thickness adjacent to sensor access openings in the lid portion can be increased for pressure resistance, too.
US07819836B2
A patient is provided with an increased sense of satiety by increasing resistance to the outflow of food from the stomach and through the intestines. Stomach emptying may be slowed with devices implantable within the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach. Implants are preferably removable and can include artificial strictures or apertures that may be adjustable or elastic to vary the rate of stomach emptying. Slowing gastric emptying may induce satiety for a longer period and may therefore reduce food consumption. Many of the embodiments include intestinal sleeves or sleeves, but they need not. The resistor concept may be applied to a simple anchor and resistor without a long sleeve.
US07819828B2
A method and device for stimulating new capillary growth and increased circulation in areas where the blood flow is no longer sufficient to support hair growth, new hair or existing hair.
US07819820B2
A self-contained, self-piercing, and side-expelling marking apparatus for percutaneously placing a imaging marker in a tissue mass.
US07819817B2
The invention relates to a temperature probe for insertion into the human or animal body, having an unfoldable balloon on a catheter, on the outer skin of which balloon one or more temperature sensors is or are disposed. The catheter can be moved by way of a cable and according to one aspect of the invention an ultrasound sensor is disposed on its tip. Position sensors can also be provided on the outer skin of the balloon. The temperature probe is used to monitor the temperature distribution in the esophagus during a catheter ablation.
US07819811B2
A method and apparatus for improving the diagnostic performance of a probe system (30) for detecting a medical condition in a patient by sensing volume changes in a monitored body part due to pulsatile arterial blood flow in the body part, characterized in calibrating the probe system (30) for the respective measurement site according to a predetermined characteristic of the monitored body part of the patient and quantifying the arterial pulsatile volume thereat. Such calibration is described with respect to probes including: (1) a pressure sensor (63), which senses pressure changes in a compressible fluid system to which the patient's body part (e.g., finger, toe or a distal portion of a limb) is subjected, which pressure changes are convertible to volume changes in the body part due to pulsatile arterial blood volume changes therein; and (2) an optical sensor (140), which senses optical density or transmissivity changes in the body part, which changes are also convertible to volume changes due to pulsatile arterial blood volume changes in the body part.
US07819810B2
An apparatus, method and system for cannulation of blood vessels. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly including two linear transducer arrays oriented perpendicular to each other to form a “T” shape to provide ultrasound images of at least one blood vessel in a portion of a patient's body in two perpendicular planes. The sensor assembly may have graphic markings on an exterior surface thereof to facilitate orientation of the sensor assembly on the patient and guidance of a needle toward a desired target vessel during the cannulation procedure. The sensor assembly may also include an associated structure to cooperate with a reference location element to place, align and secure the sensor assembly to the patient's skin at a desired location.
US07819807B2
The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable. The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.
US07819803B2
Methods and devices for rapid diagnosis and monitoring a patient for disease or effectiveness of treatment in real time. In preferred embodiments, the methods and devices comprise contacting an array of sensors with a sample from a mammal suspected of having a disease to generate a sensor array profile, measuring a clinical diagnostic marker for the suspected disease, and then developing a diagnosis using the sensor array profile in combination with the clinical diagnostic marker.
US07819797B2
A cardiac constraint jacket is formed of flexible material defining a volume between an open upper end and a lower end. The jacket is dimensioned for an apex of a patient's heart to be inserted into the volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over the heart. A delivery device is used to place the jacket on the heart. The delivery device includes a plurality of attachment locations. Each of the attachment locations is releasably secured to separate positions surrounding a periphery of the open upper end of the jacket. The delivery device also includes a control arrangement which is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The control arrangement is connected to the attachment locations such that the attachment locations are in a compact array urging the open upper end of the jacket into a collapsed configuration when the control member is in the closed position. When the control arrangement is in the open position, the attachment locations are in an open array. The attachment locations urge the open upper end of the jacket into an open configuration sufficient for the heart to be inserted into the jacket volume through the open upper end and for the jacket to be slipped over said heart.
US07819792B2
The present invention relates to the automatic balance adjusting centrifuge that enhances the efficiency of space utilization by simplifying the structure as well as supports a precise movement by improving the structure of the balance weight transport apparatus in the automatic balance adjusting centrifuge that compensates the unbalance of the centrifugal force by transferring the balance weight equipped in the rotor rotational arm. According to the automatic balance adjusting centrifuge of the present invention, the structure is simplified as well as the precise and exact transfer of the balance weight is possible by connecting the balance weight with the axis of the motor directly and adopting the length sensor. Furthermore, the efficiency of space utilization is enhanced because the axis of rotation of the balance weight transfer motor is in radial direction of the rotational arm.
US07819782B2
An exercise machine includes a supporting stage; a saddle arranged relatively for said supporting stage; a pedaling stage with a pair of pedals arranged relatively for said supporting stage; and a handle arranged relatively for said supporting stage. The pedaling stage is configured such that the pair of pedals are connected with one another via a first air pump.
US07819777B1
An exercise alignment mat system for performing various exercises includes a mat of a generally flat structure having a top surface, bottom surface and a thickness, a major longitudinal axis and a minor longitudinal axis orthogonal to the major longitudinal axis, and a plurality of spaced grooves formed in the top surface along both the major and minor axes so as to define a plurality of equal sized panels on the mat. Each panel includes a set of concentric squares indicia thereon, in which an upper half of each square in the concentric squares has a dotted line configuration for fingertip placement, and a lower half of each square has a solid line configuration for palm placement.
US07819775B2
An arrangement of two adjacent planetary gearsets (1, 2) in a housing of a transmission of a vehicle. In the arrangement a ring gear carrier (3) is connected to ring gear (19) of the first planetary gearset (1) and a sun gear (8) of the second planetary gearset (2), which is connected to a shaft (5) of the transmission, such that torque is transferred between the ring gear (19) of the first planetary gearset (1) and the shaft of the transmission (5). The ring gear carrier (3) is therefore engaged both with the shaft (5) of the transmission and with the sun gear (8) of the second planetary gearset (2).
US07819767B2
The present invention provides a friction transmission belt having a friction transmission surface having a rubber composition containing a plasticizer, the plasticizer forming a film on the friction transmission surface, a change in friction coefficient (μ) with respect to a change in slipping velocity (V) indicated by a difference between a pulley speed and a belt speed (dμ/dv) being 0 or a positive value in a dry state and a wet state.
US07819766B2
A coupling device (10) for a gear wheel (12), a pulley or other similar units comprising a support (18) for a gear wheel (16) or an operating portion of the pulley or unit, means for centering and drawing the crown gear (16) or the operating portion on the support and means for holding the crown gear (16) or operating portion against the support (18) along a parallel direction relative to a rotation axis of the gear wheel or pulley or unit, said means comprising a locking member (34) suitable to be fixed to the support (18) for defining an abutment for the crown gear (16) or operating portion.
US07819764B2
A speed change control device for a belt type continuously variable transmission has a speed change control unit (32) which controls an oil pressure for determining a speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (10) by operating a step motor (40), and detects a rotation speed of a primary pulley or a secondary pulley. A driving speed of the step motor (40) is limited using two or more of a temperature of a working oil of the speed change control unit (32), the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission (10), and the detected rotation speed as parameters.
US07819760B2
A golf ball comprising a core and a cover, wherein the core comprises a thermoset rubber composition, a geometric center and a treated outer surface, the treated outer surface having a first hardness and the geometric center having a second hardness, the treated outer surface being treated with a surface-softening material comprising at least one fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition such that the second hardness is greater than the first hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. In another emobodiment, the golf ball comprises a thermoset rubber composition core and a cover, said core comprising a treated outer surface and a geometric center, the treated outer surface comprising a fatty acid and/or fatty acid salt plasticizer composition and extending inward from the surface from about 0.001 inches to about 0.100 inches, the treated outer surface further having a first hardness and the geometric center having a second hardness, wherein the first hardness is less than the second hardness to define a negative hardness gradient.
US07819757B2
A golf club head formed of multiple materials is disclosed. Those portions of the club head that are subject to high stresses during normal use of the golf club head are formed of a metallic material. Most of the material beyond what is required to maintain structural integrity, however, is removed and replaced with a lightweight material. This freed-up mass that can be redistributed to other, more beneficial locations of the club head. The lightweight material also damps vibrations generated during use of the golf club. This vibration damper may be retained in a state of compression to enhance the vibration damping. One or more weight members may be included to obtain desired center of gravity position, moments of inertia, and other club head attributes. A insert formed of multiple materials and having regions of varying thickness may also be included on a rear surface of the club head.
US07819755B2
A ferrule, and a golf club incorporating same, are provided. The ferrule defines an axial bore for receiving a club shaft therethrough. A bottom portion of the ferrule is sized to receive and surround an upper end of a hosel of a club head. The ferrule can further include a chamfered or rounded, annular edge formed on a bottom end thereof. The hosel and the ferrule are cooperatively configured to inhibit movement of the ferrule and, preferably, axial rotation and longitudinal movement of the ferrule are both inhibited by engagement of corresponding surfaces of the ferrule and the hosel. Preferably, protrusions at an upper, interior surface of the ferrule body serve to center the shaft within the ferrule and to enhance a flow of adhesive between the shaft, hosel and ferrule. Preferably, ribs at a lower, interior surface of the ferrule are received in corresponding grooves formed on an upper exterior surface of the hosel. These ribs serve to locate and initially fix the ferrule onto the hosel of the club head. Alternatively, the hosel may include at least one strut having a knife-like edge configured to cut into the interior surface of the ferrule, thereby inhibiting axial rotation.
US07819741B1
A multiple game-of-chance that occupies the same floor space as a traditional slot machine but has a spinning reel game mounted below a spinning wheel game. The game is also an outcome bank for storing outcomes from the spinning wheel game. The spinning wheel game may provide an outcome that activates the upper spinning wheel game, and the outcomes in the spinning wheel game can alter the outcome of the lower spinning reel game and also provide a bank of outcomes in the outcome bank, which can also be utilized to alter the outcome, or likely future outcomes, in the spinning wheel game. The game also utilizes a flexible, resilient, Z-shaped radial drive gear to drive each of the three wheels in the upper wheel game independently.
US07819740B2
A gaming device including a plurality of reels having a plurality of symbols where a plurality of paylines are associated with the reels. Each of the paylines includes a fixed modifier, such as a fixed multiplier, which multiplies any awards associated with winning symbol combinations on that to enhance the awards provided to the player. In one embodiment, the paylines are numbered and the values of the multipliers are based on the payline numbers. Any winning symbol combinations occurring on the paylines are modified or multiplied by the multiplier associated with those paylines. The enhanced award is then provided to the player in the game.
US07819739B2
Described is a player activated game system, particularly adapted for playing instant lottery type games, that includes a game device having a computer containing at least one game, an electronic display and a card interface adapted to receive a game card having data that represents a particular game outcome such that connection of the card to the interface can result the game being played by the device with the particular outcome displayed on the display.
US07819733B2
Systems and methods are provided wherein a reconfiguration rule is not indicated to a player during at least a portion of game play.
US07819731B2
When a player character has a raw stone material, a player can carry out material conversion at an arbitrary timing. In the material conversion, the player captures an arbitrary image in a real space or a virtual 3D space. RGB data of predetermined pixels are extracted from the captured image data, and average values for R, G, and B are acquired separately. A material of a type corresponding to the calculated average values of the RGB data is generated. When the player equips the player character with the material generated by the material conversion, magic corresponding to the equipped material can be used.
US07819723B2
To provide a retainer ring by which an object to be polished can be uniformly polished, and deterioration thereof can be suppressed, and it does not take time to recycle, and a polishing machine having the retainer ring. The retainer ring 1 includes: a first annular portion 11 for surrounding an outer circumferential portion of the object to be polished and made of resin; and a second annular portion 12 provided on the first annular portion 11 and having a mechanical strength higher than that of the first annular portion 11. In rim portions of the first annular portion 11 and the second annular portion 12, a fixing portion 13 for fixing the first annular portion 11 and the second annular portion 12 with mechanical joining is provided. The first annular portion 11 protrudes beyond the fixing portion 13 toward the opposite side of the second annular portion 12.
US07819720B2
An indexing stunt selector for a toy vehicle track set is provided. The indexing stunt selector may be disposed along a toy vehicle track and includes a first stunt element disposed in the vehicle pathway to cause a toy vehicle to perform a first stunt, where performance of a first stunt results in actuation of a first stunt trigger. The indexing stunt selector further includes a second stunt element adapted to be automatically disposed in the vehicle pathway following actuation of the first stunt trigger.
US07819719B2
In one aspect, a supported walking system is disclosed, comprising a robotic walking figure and a wheeled support that at least partially supports the robotic walking figure. The supported walking system may be driven and controlled by a human operator. Computer algorithms automatically control the robot's walking functions so that it may step forwards, backwards, and sideways in synchronicity with the movements of the cart while driving and turning at varying speeds.
US07819718B2
A method of making an electron-emitting device has the steps of disposing a film containing metal on a substrate, arranging a plurality of catalytic particles on the film containing metal, and heat-treating the substrate on which the plurality of catalytic particles are arranged under circumstance including hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen to form a plurality of carbon fibers. Catalytic particles contain Pd and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Y, Rh, Pt, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er and Lu, and 20˜80 atm % (atomic percentage) or more of the at least one element is contained in the catalytic particles relative to Pd.
US07819717B2
A process for producing an emissive device that includes (1) feeding the first material to the first region and the third region and to a side adjacent to a first face of at least one first electrode by a gas-phase process with a first mask to form films; (2) feeding the second material to the second region and the third region such that the second material fed in the third region is stacked above the first material in the third region and to the side adjacent to the first face of each first electrode by a gas-phase process to form the emissive layers; and (3) forming a second electrode at a side of each emissive layer opposite the side adjacent to the first electrode.
US07819712B1
A simplified, self-setting marker buoy having an outer shell of abrasion-resistant plastic material, two end portions (14) that are filled with foam or hollow to provide buoyancy, an integrally formed medial portion (18) on which the anchor line (22) is wound, an anchor line (22), and an anchor weight (38). The medial portion (18) is slightly offset from the axis of rotation of the floatation unit (10) to provide rotational resistance to impede rotation of the floatation unit (10) and the resulting release of excess anchor line (22) due to the action of wind, waves, or currents. The amount of offset of the medial portion (18) is preselected to provide the maximum amount of rotational impedance that will still allow rotation of the floatation unit (10) while the anchor weight (38) descends to the bottom of the water body. The medial portion (18) also has a relatively large cross-sectional area resulting in greater ease in rewinding the anchor line (22) onto the medial portion (18). One or both of the end portions (14) can be hollow and composed of light-transmissive material with a removable cap (30) to allow access to install one or more removable lighting devices (34).
US07819702B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a connector into which a plug of a USB cable is insertable. The connector includes a housing and a terminal portion provided in the housing. The housing includes an insertion opening part which exposes the terminal portion outside, a back part positioned at an end part opposite to the insertion opening part in the housing, and a side part provided between the insertion opening part and the back part and configured to oppose to the plug when the plug is inserted into the connector. The side part includes an inclined part which continues to the insertion opening part and is inclined such that a distance between the inclined part and the plug increases in a direction from the back part toward the insertion opening part to form a gap between the inclined part and the plug.
US07819701B2
A rotatable electrical plug connector includes a main body and an auxiliary plug which is rotatably coupled to the main body. The main body is provided with fixed electrical terminals, the auxiliary plug is provided with electrical blades, and the rotatable electrical plug connector has electrical connection members connecting the electrical terminals and the electrical blades. The auxiliary plug is rotatable relative to the main body, and may be fixed to the main body at any predetermined position. At each predetermined position and during rotation of the auxiliary plug, the electrical blades and the electrical terminals are electrically connected at all times. A rotatable electrical plug connector according to embodiments of the present invention is suitable to connect to power supply is sockets at convenient engagement positions.
US07819700B2
A pressure connection apparatus includes a conductive spring member having first and second end portions that are curved, and first and second retaining members having curved pockets that are oppositely oriented for receiving the first and second curved ends of the conductive spring member. An aluminum foil terminal of one battery is sandwiched between the conductive spring and the pocket of the first retaining member, while a copper foil terminal of another battery is sandwiched between the conductive spring and the pocket of the second retaining member. The spring member is clad with aluminum on one side and copper on the other, and the end portions are oppositely curved so that the aluminum-clad side contacts the aluminum foil terminal within the pocket of the first retaining member, and the copper-clad side contacts the copper foil terminal within the pocket of the second retaining member.
US07819698B2
A coaxial cable connector inner contact with an interface end and a cable end for coupling with the inner conductor of a coaxial cable, the inner conductor having an outer diameter surface. The inner contact provided with an inner conductor interface at the interface end, an inner conductor socket open to the cable end, a first inner diameter groove in a first sidewall section of the socket, a second inner diameter groove in the first sidewall section proximate the cable end, a first spring contact, dimensioned to engage the outer diameter surface, seated in the first inner diameter groove; and a first inward projecting seal, dimensioned to seal against the outer diameter surface, seated in the second inner diameter groove.
US07819694B2
A connector to be connected to a cable 41 includes an outer conductor having a first cylindrical portion 33 and a second cylindrical portion 35 connected to each other. The first cylindrical portion holds a conductive contact 11. The second cylindrical portion has a guide portion 35a. A cable inserted into the second cylindrical portion is decentered by the guide portion in a predetermined direction in a predetermined radial direction.
US07819693B2
An LGA socket includes an insulative housing, a number of conductive terminals received retained in the housing, a stiffener surrounding the insulative housing, a load plate and a load lever pivotally assembled to the stiffener, and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a screw attached to the stiffener in a horizontal direction and a washer attached to the support plate in a vertical direction. The locking mechanism is attached to the stiffener before the LGA socket mounting to a printed circuit board.
US07819691B2
An electrical connector that prevents generation of static electricity is presented. The connector includes a body portion having a receiving space and a bottom surface that forms an inner wall of the receiving space. A terminal portion is disposed on the body portion, and a cover portion is positioned to enclose the receiving space when closed. A protecting member is disposed on the cover portion and protrudes beyond the outer surface of the terminal portion. By using this connector, damage to circuit parts or circuit elements caused by static electricity may be prevented.
US07819690B2
A connector (50) is useful for making an electrically conductive connection with at least one conductive member. A disclosed example has one use for making such a connection with a tension member (32) in an elevator load bearing assembly (30). An example connector (50) includes projections (54) having a unique configuration that withstands compressive and bending forces associated with piercing through at least a portion of a conductive member (32). A disclosed example includes a generally concave surface (64) and a generally convex surface (66) along at least a portion of each projection. In a disclosed example, the projections at least partially lie on opposite sides of a centerline (68) of the connector (50).
US07819688B2
A socket adapted for electrically connecting an IC package and a PCB, comprising: a body mounted on the PCB for electrically connecting the IC package, a holder mounted on the PCB and beside the body and a clip for retaining the IC package in the body. The clip has two hook portions by which the clip pivotally assembles to the holder. The hook portion has an arched portion and a tab extending from the arched portion, the tab can abut against the holder to prevent the clip from over-rotation.
US07819683B2
There is disclosed a contact pin assembly for a high voltage electrical connection, the contact pin assembly comprising: an electrically-conductive outer member which is supportable from a support member, the outer member having a bore extending therethrough, the bore defining a smooth inner face of the outer member and being divergent towards opposite ends of the outer member; a contact pin, ends of which are arranged to be connected directly or indirectly to cables, the contact pin extending through the bore and having a profiled portion which defines a smooth outer face of the contact pin and which is divergent towards opposite ends of the contact pin, the contact pin being concentric with the bore; an electrically-conductive layer provided adjacent the inner face, the electrically-conductive layer being in electrical communication with the outer member and conforming with the profile of the inner face; an annular space between the profiled portion and the electrically-conductive layer; electrical insulation surrounding the pin to provide a seal around the pin and filling the annular space; and sealing between the insulation and the ends of the outer member. There is also disclosed a method of manufacturing such a contact pin assembly.
US07819680B2
An electrical connector that comprises a body including an interface part adapted to engage a mating connector and a mounting part adapted to mount to a surface of a printed circuit board. An internal bore extends through the interface and mounting parts. A fixed interface contact is provided in the internal bore at the interface part. The fixed interface contact is configured to engage a corresponding contact of the mating connector. An actuating contact is received in the internal bore and is axially moveably within the internal bore between first and second positions. First and second stationary contacts are supported by the mounting part. Each of the first and second stationary contacts have a first contact end received in the internal bore of the body and a second exposed end that extends outside of the body for connection to the printed circuit board. The first and second stationary contacts define first and second electrical paths, respectively, wherein movement of the actuating contact between the first and second positions switches the electrical path between the first and second electrical paths, respectively.
US07819678B2
An electrical card connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the insulative housing, a slide carrier slidable in the insulative housing, an eject mechanism mounted in the insulative housing for pushing the slide carrier, and a locking body attached to the slider for locking the slier carrier with the slider together while an electrical card is inserted into therein. The locking body defines an engaging portion protruding into the insertion slot. The engaging portion is deflectable to release locking engagement between the slider and the slide carrier while another electrical card being inserted into the insertion slot.
US07819675B2
An cable assembly (100) includes an insulated housing (1) extending along a front-to-back direction; a plurality of contacts (2) arranged in a row and supported by the insulated housing, said contacts including three grounding contact members spaced by two pair of signal contact members; a cable (4) including two juxtaposed differential wire pairs (41) respectively enclosed by conductive shielding portions (43); a grounding member (3) including a main portion (31), three finger portions (33) extending forwardly from a front side of the main portion and two arm portions (32) formed at lateral sides of a rear segment of the main portion, said grounding member (3) securely engaged with the cable via the two arm portions thereof griping the conductive shielding portions; and the finger portions soldered to the grounding contact members, and inner conductors of the differential pairs soldered to the signal contact members, respectively.
US07819674B2
A surface mounting lug terminal formed of a metallic plate having terminal leads and positioning projections can readily be positioned on a printed board with high precision by fitting the positioning projections into positioning cutouts formed in the printed board. The terminal leads of the surface mounting lug terminal can easily be soldered to land patterns on the printed board to secure the surface mounting lug terminal onto the printed board irrespective of the number of terminal leads. The surface mounting lug terminal can be reduced in size, thus to contribute miniaturization of electronic circuits.
US07819673B2
According to one embodiment, a stacking connector includes a first connector and a second connector plugged into the first connector. The first connector includes a first terminal expandable/compatible in a plug-in direction in which the second connector is plugged, and a mold main body surrounding the first terminal. The first terminal includes a first portion and a second portion including a first overlapping portion movable by slide with respect to the first portion, which partially overlaps with the first portion in the plug-in direction and is brought into direct contact with the second connector. The first portion and the second portion are electrically connected to each other by at least two sections.
US07819669B2
A land grid array (LGA) connector, for electrically connecting an IC (Integrated Circuit) package to a printed circuit board, comprises a retaining frame, a plurality of sections mounted on the retaining frame and a plurality of contacts received in the sections. Each contact having a contacting portion extending beyond the top surface of the section to contact with the IC package, and the contacting portions of the contacts received in a same section have two opposed extending direction to evenly and elastically support the IC package when the IC package is pressed toward the contacts.
US07819656B2
A furnace, firing pattern and method of operating a heater that employs a combination of hearth burners and wall burners for the cracking of hydrocarbons is described. The firing pattern leads to improvements in the uniformity of the coil metal temperatures and vertical heat flux profiles over the firebox elevation. The hearth burners operate with a stoichiometric excess of air while the wall burners operate with less than the stoichiometric amount of air.
US07819655B2
The invention relates to a combination drive for a plastic injection-molding machine having a rotary drive (1) for driving a screw shaft (9) so as to rotate and a linear drive (2) for driving the screw shaft (9) so as to perform a linear movement in the axial direction in relation to the rotary drive (1). When the linear drive (2) performs a linear movement, the rotary drive (1) is linearly entrained, thereby avoiding any axial forces on the rotary drive (1).
US07819648B2
The present invention provides an outer frame for cubic hinge press and the cubic hinge press with this outer frame, said outer frame encloses an accommodation space; The supporting planes used for supporting and fixing the back cover plates of hinge sleeve cylinder are set around the inner walls of the outer frame and on the inner walls of upper and lower surfaces of outer frame; A window for the assembly, disassembly and maintenance of press is correspondingly set between two adjacent supporting planes on the outer frame. According to different needs, the outer frame may be designed as square frame, butterfly frame, basket type frame or spherical frame. The hinge press formed by connecting six hinge sleeve piston components through reinforcing plate or through hinge ears and pins is installed in the accommodation space enclosed by the outer frame, thus forming a cubic hinge press. The outer frame for cubic hinge press provided by present invention has simple structure, which is convenient for assembly, disassembly and maintenance of press. The cubic hinge press with said outer frame provided by present invention is featured by small equipment investment and high precision of press.
US07819647B2
A bead ring locking mechanism restricts the relative turning of a tubular lifter moved upward or downward on the outside of a central mechanism outer casing with respect to an annular bead ring attached to the outer circumference of the lifter to form a part of a die. The locking mechanism includes a stopper member installed at the bead ring and attached so as to move back and forth with respect to the lifter, and an actuating member which moves the stopper member from the bead ring to the lifter. A recessed portion is formed at the lifter, a raised portion is formed at the stopper member, and the raised portion is fitted into the recessed portion by pressing the stopper member to the lifter using the actuating member.
US07819644B2
Lubrication of bearing surfaces in a scroll compressor is enhanced by a vent arrangement which makes use of increased centrifugal force, achieved by locating the outlet of the vent arrangement radially outside of the nominal circumference of the compressor's drive shaft, to both remove refrigerant gas from compressor locations where such gas can inhibit the flow and delivery of lubricant to such surfaces and to increase the lift of lubricant out of the compressor's lubricant sump. Oil retained in the upper surface of the compressor drive shaft is made immediately available for bearing lubrication upon compressor start-up to further enhance compressor lubrication.
US07819643B2
A fluid transportation system includes an elastic tube, a tube frame to which the tube is attached such that the tube forms a circular arc, a first cam and a second cam disposed inside the tube, and fingers which radially extend from a rotation center in the space between the tube and the first and second cams. The first and second cams produce a first condition where the fingers are all released and a second condition where at least one of the fingers constantly closes the tube. The first and second cams sequentially press the fingers, and the fingers sequentially repeat closure and release of the tube so that fluid can continuously flow.
US07819638B2
A mounting system is provided for supporting a weight of a compressor in a mobile application. The compressor may include a top end and a bottom end. The mounting system may include a housing having a top plate and a bottom plate, the top plate being disposed a distance above the bottom plate. A mounting bracket may be connected to the top plate and the bottom plate. An isolation assembly may be disposed on the mounting bracket and may be configured to connect to the compressor at a connecting location below the top end and above a location at or adjacent to the bottom end of the compressor. The isolation assembly is configured to support the weight of the compressor at the connecting location without the compressor being supported adjacent to its bottom end.
US07819637B2
A flow-metering valve for metering a flow of liquid has a valve member, a stopper and an electromagnetic driving member. The valve member is reciprocally displaceably arranged between a first position and a second position in the liquid chamber. The stopper is arranged at the second position in the liquid chamber. The electromagnetic driving member generates a magnetic attractive force between the valve member and the stopper to hold the valve member at the second position when the electromagnetic driving member is energized.
US07819631B2
A fan includes a rotatable center member that is centered relative to an axis of rotation of the fan. The fan includes a number of blades radially extending from the rotatable center member. Each blade may have one or more ribs extending therefrom non-parallel to the axis of rotation of the fan. Each blade may be may be flat in shape, except for the ribs extending therefrom, or it may have a cycloidal curvature that curves away from the direction in which the rotatable center member rotates. In addition to or in lieu of the ribs, each blade may have a side profile that is non-linear. The side profile may be a zigzag or a curvy shape. The side profile may have one or more notches pointed in a direction opposite that in which the rotatable center member rotates, or may have one or more holes extending through the blade.
US07819629B2
A blade is provided for a gas turbine. The blade comprises a main body comprising a cooling fluid entrance channel; a cooling fluid collector in communication with the cooling fluid entrance channel; a plurality of side channels extending through an outer wall of the main body and communicating with the cooling fluid collector and a cooling fluid cavity; a cooling fluid exit channel communicating with the cooling fluid cavity; and a plurality of exit bores extending from the cooling fluid exit channel through the main body outer wall.
US07819620B2
An apparatus is for displacing objects which can be picked up. The apparatus includes a fork-like member provided with teeth for picking up the objects, a transporting device connected to this member, a device for moving the fork-like member vertically, and a control device for controlling the transporting and moving devices. The apparatus includes at least one pair of mutually adjacent teeth of the fork-like member which is equipped with one flexible carrier arranged on each tooth and drivable in longitudinal direction of the tooth. When the objects are set down, this carrier can impart a determined speed to the objects such that the distance between two rows of set-down objects standing perpendicularly of the direction of the teeth can be regulated in a flexible manner by way of adjusting the speed of the carrier.
US07819610B2
A tool intended for chip removing machining is disclosed. The tool is of the type that has a basic body and an indexable cutting insert that can be connected to the basic body via an interface including a primary connecting surface in the basic body and a secondary connecting surface in the cutting insert. Among two cooperating support flanks included in the connecting surface of the basic body, one is situated on a level above the other in order to form a lateral support for the cutting insert. In the connecting surface of the cutting insert, contact flanks are included that, together with the clearance surface of the cutting insert, form a V-shapedly converging wedge part that can be applied in a seat delimited by the support flanks, the contact flank being urged against the low-positioned support flank of the basic body, while an upper part of the clearance surface of the cutting insert is urged against the high-positioned support flank. By means of the high-positioned support flank, large cutting forces can be carried in a dominant line of action, the interface in other respects efficiently counteracting such tendencies to dislodging/turning of the cutting insert that are caused by more moderate forces in other lines of action. In addition to the proper tool, a cutting insert and a basic body for the tool, per se, are also disclosed.
US07819592B2
A lens changeable digital camera has an imaging section, including an image sensor for capturing a subject image via the photographing lens, a display section capable of displaying image information and/or character information, a shielding section capable of being moved into and out of an imaging light path of the image sensor, a detection section for detecting an operation to remove the photographing lens, and a control section for, after the shielding section has been moved out of the imaging light path, causing execution of an exposure operation for a specified period in the imaging section, and causing display of a moving image on the display section based on image data acquired by the exposure operation. When it is detected by the detection section that an operation to remove the photographing lens has been carried out, the control section control the shielding section to cause the shielding section to be moved into the imaging light path, and causes display of character or symbol data instead of the moving image display on the display section.
US07819591B2
A three-dimensional imaging system uses a single primary optical lens along with various configurations of apertures, refocusing facilities, and the like to obtain three offset optical channels each of which can be separately captured with an optical sensor.
US07819589B2
A radial roller bearing, which is a single-grooved ball bearing. The bearing bodies are spherical disks with two symmetrical, parallel lateral surfaces from a spherical base shape. The bearing has a larger contact surface of the spherical disk in relation to the bearing body tracks thereof, as well as, an increased number of bearing bodies. One part of the width of the disks, between the lateral surfaces thereof, is larger than the distance between the inner side of the external bearing ring and the external side of the inner bearing ring, but equal to or smaller than the width of the bearing body tracks. Also, the use of the disks in the bearing takes place according to an eccentric mounting method where the disks are arranged in a transversal manner in the bearing body tracks and are arranged on top of each other in relation to the lateral surfaces thereof.
US07819585B2
Assembly precision in a motor is improved and greater cost reduction is achieved. A fluid dynamic bearing apparatus includes a housing and bearing sleeve as fixed-side members, a shaft member as a rotational-side member having a portion for mounting a rotor magnet, and a disk hub. The shaft member is supported by the bearing sleeve in the radial direction in a non-contact manner by the hydrodynamic effect of a lubricating oil produced in a radial bearing gap between the inner circumferential surface of the bearing sleeve and the outer circumferential surface 9 of the shaft member while the shaft member is in rotation. The apparatus includes a disk hub which is fixed on the shaft member and has a portion for mounting the rotor magnet, and the disk hub is a molded resin article formed by insert-molding using the shaft member as an insert piece.
US07819581B2
According to one embodiment, a calibration system for calibrating image data produced by an imaging system is provided. The calibration system includes a processor configured for: receiving the image data from the imaging system; receiving a plurality of reference values from the imaging system; and calibrating the image data using the reference values. The reference values correspond to air image data produced by the imaging system.
US07819578B2
A temperature measuring arrangement measures the temperature of a fluid passing a component. The arrangement includes a temperature measuring device having a substrate of low thermal capacity that has applied thereto two or more temperature recording media. The device is attached to and spaced apart from the component and is in the fluid flow.
US07819577B2
Clamping device and method to temporarily clamp, in a mixing machine (11), a container (12) containing a fluid product, comprising two clamping elements (20, 21), opposite each other and able to clamp the container (12) in a determinate position. A movement mechanism (22), controlled by a control unit (24), is able to reciprocally move the clamping elements (20, 21) and impart thereto a clamping force (F) or clamping impulse, according to the actual height (L) of the container (12). The control unit (24) is also able to calculate, as a function of the clamping force (F), a relative clamping speed (v3), at which to move reciprocally the two clamping elements (20, 21) so as to clamp the container.
US07819568B2
The planar lighting device includes a light guide plate having the light exit plane, two pairs of light entrance planes formed at the four sides of the light exit plane, and rear planes formed opposite to the light exit plane and inclined such that the light guide plate grows thicker toward the center thereof, a pair of main light sources and a pair of auxiliary light sources disposed opposite their respective light entrance planes to emit light to the respective light entrance planes, and illuminance distribution control unit to adjust the amount of light emitted by the main and auxiliary light sources to form a designated local illuminance distribution for any position desired in the light exit plane. The planar lighting device performs area control and line control to adjust illuminance at a light exit plane for any area desired and along any line desired, respectively.
US07819561B2
A retractable light fixture apparatus has a fixture housing for mounting in or to the wall of a building or under the eave of a building. A lamp housing and lamp is hinged to the fixture housing and is movable from a closed to an open position by an electric motor and from an open to a closed position by a gas spring. An electric brake holds the lamp housing in an open position against the gas spring whenever electric power is applied thereto.
US07819553B2
The modular light strand kit has decorative light strand segments having a plurality of predetermined lengths to achieve a customized length for a desired application. Lighted strand segments have varying lengths and number of lights per strand segment. Strand length is customized by plugging individual strand segments together. Segments are mixed and matched to obtain a customized number of lights. Each strand segment has a male locking waterproof plug on one end and, at the other end, a female locking waterproof receptacle in the same covering that houses the last light on the strand. Lightless wire segments having different predetermined lengths are included and have the same male locking waterproof plug on one end and a straight locking waterproof female plug on the other end. The lightless segments function as spacers where lights are not desired. A common mains adapter plug provides power to all strands in use.
US07819546B1
A bi-directional flashlight for providing improved illumination includes a central body with a handle. The device further includes a first light-emitting section permanently attached directly to the first end of the body and facing a first direction away therefrom. Such a first light-emitting section further includes a mechanism for linearly reciprocating the light bulb along a first linear path such that the light bulb selectively oscillates back and forth along a fourth direction based upon a user input. The device further includes a second light-emitting section removably and selectively attached to the second end of the central body and the handle such that the second light-emitting section selectively faces second and third directions defined parallel and perpendicular to the first direction respectively. The device further includes a holding implement and a mechanism for selectively biasing the second light-emitting section along a second linear path.
US07819540B2
A control device for a household appliance is disclosed. The control device includes a control panel having a front panel and a panel lip extending outward from the front panel; a plurality of controls for selectively controlling operation of the appliance, the controls being disposed on the front panel; and a plurality of lighting devices supported by the panel lip for illuminating the respective controls. A household appliance such as a gas range incorporating the control device is also disclosed.
US07819539B2
A light emitting diode (LED). In one embodiment, the LED comprises a base including a cavity, an LED chip disposed on a bottom of the cavity and configured to generate a first light, and a light conversion layer. The light conversion layer includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a wavelength conversion particle. The light conversion layer is configured to convert a portion of the first light into a second light according to light emitted by the wavelength conversion particle. Furthermore, the light conversion layer is disposed on an upper surface of the base.
US07819531B2
A light source device includes first and second electrodes, an arc tube having a main body section having a discharge space in which the first and second electrodes are disposed with a distance and a sealing section disposed on each of the both ends of the main body section, a primary reflecting mirror disposed on the side of the first electrode, a secondary reflecting mirror disposed on the side of the second electrode, and a current drive device that generates an alternating current for causing the discharge between the first and second electrodes, and power control by controlling the alternating current so that supplying energy in an anodic term of the first electrode becomes smaller than supplying energy in a cathode term.
US07819523B2
To provide an ocular lens capable of securing a stable image in a distance portion and a near portion, and suppressing a generation of blurring or ghosting of the image. A progressive multifocal far and near contact lens is provided, having a distance portion for aiding a far vision, a near portion for aiding a near vision, and an intermediate portion in which power is progressively changed between the distance portion and the near portion, and a power distribution of a lens optical region along a direction of a vertical axis N of the lens optical region is set according to a predetermined function.
US07819520B2
A printer is provided with a first storage capable of storing a print medium, and a second storage capable of storing a print medium. The first and second storage are aligned along a first direction in a plan view of the printer. The printer is provided with a first transferring device that transfers the print medium stored in the first storage to the second storage. The printer is provided with a printing device. The second storage and the printing device are aligned in a second direction in the plan view of the printer, and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The printer is provided with a feeding device that feeds the print medium stored in the second storage to the printing device. The printing device prints on the print medium fed from the second storage by the feeding device.
US07819515B2
A printer comprising: an inkjet printhead having an ink inlet, an ink outlet and a plurality of nozzles; a priming system for priming the printhead, the priming system comprising: an ink chamber having an outlet port connected to the ink inlet via an upstream ink line; an air pump having a pump outlet communicating with a headspace above the ink in the chamber; a sensor positioned for sensing ink in a downstream ink line connected to the ink outlet, the sensor cooperating with the pump such that the pump is shut off when the sensor senses any ink; and means for minimizing phantom sensing of ink caused by ink bubbles in the downstream ink line, wherein, in a priming configuration, the pump is configured to positively pressurize the headspace until the sensor senses ink.
US07819514B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first flow path for supplying liquid, a second flow path that communicates with the first flow path, a filter disposed to face communication holes of the first and second flow paths, and an air bubble locking section that locks an air bubble in the communication hole of the second flow path at a time when the air bubble is discharged from the second flow path through the filter.
US07819510B2
An inkjet finger manifold is provided that includes a longitudinal manifold chamber with an entrance at a first end adjacent to a first longitudinal side. A purge vent is located at a second end on a second longitudinal side opposite the first longitudinal side. A first ramp is located at the first end sloping away from the entrance toward the second longitudinal side. A second ramp is located near the second end and slopes from the second longitudinal side toward the second end and the first longitudinal side to alter the laminar flow of the ink through the longitudinal manifold.
US07819509B2
The liquid ejection head includes: a liquid ejection port; a pressure chamber which has a recess part connected to the liquid ejection port; a lower electrode which is arranged on the pressure chamber; a piezoelectric body which has a planar face arranged on the lower electrode; and an upper electrode which is arranged on the piezoelectric body, wherein: a cross section of the recess part of the pressure chamber taken in parallel to the planar face of the piezoelectric body is oblong and has a breadth CWx in a breadthways direction and a length CWy in a lengthwise direction; the piezoelectric body has an active region having a breadth DWx in the breadthways direction of the cross section of the recess part of the pressure chamber and a length DWy in the lengthwise direction of the cross section of the recess part of the pressure chamber.
US07819508B2
A method for producing a dielectric film, comprising: a coating step of coating a colloidal solution containing an organometallic compound containing a metal constituting a dielectric film containing at least a lead component to form a dielectric precursor film; a drying step of drying the dielectric precursor film; a degreasing step of degreasing the dielectric precursor film; and a sintering step of sintering the dielectric precursor film to form a dielectric film, and wherein the drying step includes a first drying step of heating the dielectric precursor film to a temperature lower than the boiling point of a solvent, which is a main solvent of the material, and holding the dielectric precursor film at the temperature for a certain period of time to dry the dielectric precursor film, and a second drying step of drying the dielectric precursor film at a temperature in the range of 140° C. to 170° C., the degreasing step is performed at a degreasing temperature of 350° C. to 450° C. and at a heating-up rate of 15 [° C./sec] or higher, and the sintering step is performed at a heating-up rate of 100 [° C./sec] to 150 [° C./sec].
US07819506B2
Thermally curable encapsulant compositions, micro-fluid ejection devices, and methods for protecting micro-fluid ejection heads. One such encapsulant composition may include one having from about 50.0 to about 95.0 percent by weight of at least one cross-linkable resin having a flexible backbone; from about 0.1 to about 20.0 percent by weight of at least one thermal curative agent; and from about 0.0 to about 50.0 percent by weight filler, and exhibits a relatively low shear modulus upon curing (e.g., less than about 10.0 MPa at 25° C.).
US07819504B2
An inkjet head (1) has a liquid flow path section (3) for receiving liquid and, in response to application of a voltage, ejecting the liquid to an object on which a drawing is to be made. The degree of design freedom of the shape of the liquid channel section (3) or the shape of a liquid channel in the liquid channel section (3) can be improved because the liquid channel section (3) is formed on the upper surface of a substrate. Furthermore, the inkjet head can have a structure corresponding to the properties of liquid to be ejected or to an object to which the liquid is to be ejected.
US07819489B2
A method for printing images on food and packaging for the food. The method includes the step of moving a plurality of food products along a first production line to a first printing station. The method also includes the step of moving a plurality of containers along a second production line to a second printing station. This step is performed during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of printing a first image on at least one of the food products during the step of moving the plurality of food products. The method also includes the step of selecting a second image from a plurality of differing images in response to the first image. The second image is complementary to the first image. The method also includes the step of printing the second image on one of the containers during the step of moving the plurality of the containers. This step is preformed concurrently with the step of printing the first image. As a result of the concurrent printing of the first and second images, a printed food product and a printed container, respectively, are produced. The second image on the printed container complements the first image printed on the food product.
US07819473B2
A chair is provided that is designed so that the angle of the seat surface portion and the angle of the back surface portion are independent of each other and change, and a user can always take the optimum seated posture. The chair includes a base portion, a first link fixed to a seat and rotatably connected to the base portion, and a second link fixed to a seat back rest and rotatably connected to the first link. The chair also includes a first torque-generating mechanism that generates torque in accordance with the angle of the first link relative to the base portion; and a second torque-generating mechanism that generates torque in accordance with the angle of the second link relative to the first link.
US07819464B2
A trailer includes a bed with a floor structure and a superstructure mounted on the bed. The superstructure includes a wall construction of wall sections with interconnected tongue-and-groove edges and wall section ends. Corner posts include channels receiving the wall section ends for forming corners of the superstructure. A top rail forms a rim of the superstructure and receives the top-most wall sections. A rub rail connects the walls to the floor structure and receives the bottom-most wall sections. A method of manufacturing a trailer includes the steps of providing a bed with a floor structure and forming a superstructure from wall sections by interconnecting their tongue-and-groove edges. The trailer can be configured for a moving floor, a tipping mechanism or an ejector mechanism for discharging and/or loading materials and cargo in an interior.
US07819462B1
One exemplary embodiment of an anti-intrusion beam for a vehicle door assembly may include a composite material. The composite material includes a fiber reinforcement with multiple fibers. The fibers may be oriented at an angle ranging between about 35 and 55 degrees when measured with respect to a lengthwise dimension of the anti-intrusion beam.
US07819456B2
A cover for use in an opening of a vehicle instrument panel. The cover may include a top surface, an underside and one or more clips for securing the cover in an opening of the vehicle instrument panel. The cover may also include one or more lock-out ribs extending from the underside of the cover. The lock-out ribs prevent the cover from being improperly installed in an instrument panel opening where an accessory is present.
US07819454B2
A vehicle cabinet having cabinet cleats used in conjunction with a vehicle cabin having cabinet cleat receivers is provided for use with a vehicle for operation on the ground. The cabinet cleat receivers cooperate with the cabinet cleats in such a way that locating the receivers with the cleats is easy and requires minimal manipulation by an installer. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07819444B2
A handle apparatus is provided with: a handle base fixed to a door of a vehicle; a swing lever held inside the door and connected to the handle base to be vertically rotatable; a handle main body including an operation arm inserted inside the door through an arm insertion hole to drive the swing lever; a blocking piece on the swing lever for blocking the arm insertion hole from an inside of the door; and a rising piece protruding from a side edge of the blocking piece toward an outside of the door.
US07819439B2
A bore seal for connecting and sealing oil and gas tubular members is disclosed which has a metal core manufactured from a high yield strength ferrous material and a protective overlay of corrosion and abrasion resistant stainless steel and/or nickel based alloy. The protective overlay is applied to the entire outer surface of the bore seal by a metal thermal spray process, such as plasma thermal spraying. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bore seal has a fishtail profile which facilitates the use of resilient seals to provide resistance to external pressures in addition to the traditional metal-to-metal seal between the bore seal and the tubular members. In an alternative embodiment, a pressure relief valve is disposed within the bore seal to verify the integrity of the metal-to-metal seal with respect to internal bore pressure.
US07819437B2
A flange hose fitting assembly and method wherein a captive flange is attached to a flexible hose nipple after the nipple has been crimped to the flexible hose. The flange, which may be selected from different types of flanges, is slipped over the front end of the nipple that is crimped at its back end to the flexible hose, and then locked to the nipple by a suitable retaining device, such as a retaining ring, spring, screw-on or glue-on ring, press-fit ring, piston-ring, shaft seal, U-shaped halves or other split configurations arranged around a locking groove in the nipple, etc.
US07819436B2
An endform tubular assembly for a hydraulic system comprises (1) a connector member having an inner surface exhibiting a stepped configuration and a fixing member at the distal end thereof, and (2) an endform tubular member having an outer surface corresponding to the inner surface of the connector member, wherein the endform tubular member mates with inner surface of the connector member to provide an endform tubular assembly having an improved design for conveying fluids in a hydraulic system. The endform tubular assembly has inherent features therein that are measured to provide quantified values for assessing the robustness of the assembly and predict the performance of such assembly in high pressure applications for prolonged periods of time.
US07819435B2
A rehabilitating pipe for repairing an existing pipe has pipe units that are mutually coupled in a longitudinal direction of the existing pipe. Each of the pipe units has segments that are mutually coupled in a circumferential direction of the existing pipe. Each of the segments has an inner-surface plate and an outer-wall plate extending vertically from and around an entire perimeter of the inner-surface plate. The outer-wall plate has lateral plates extending along a longitudinal direction of the inner-surface plate and end plates connected between the respective lateral plates. Connecting members couple the segments together in the circumferential direction to assemble the pipe unit. A restraining member is attached to and encircles an outer circumference of the assembled pipe unit to restrain the pipe unit.
US07819428B2
A frame structure is provided in which a sub-frame is fixed to a rear portion of a vehicle body frame, and serves as a suspension-supporting portion of the vehicle body frame. In the sub-frame, a rear member extends between a sub-frame upper pipe and a sub-frame lower pipe. The rear member includes a rear upper arm supporting portion and a rear lower arm supporting portion, for supporting proximal ends of an upper arm and a lower arm of a rear suspension. The frame structure hereof improves accuracy and rigidity of the suspension-supporting portion of the vehicle body frame, and provides a simplified structure as compared to conventional frame structures.
US07819427B2
A steering column assembly for a steering column of a vehicle includes a steering column starting lock module, a functional module, and a support plate. The starting lock module has a lock element for fixedly connecting the steering column starting lock module to a steering column extending in an axial direction. The functional module has a guide groove extending in the axial direction. The starting lock module is connected to the support plate. The support plate is insertable along the axial direction into the guide groove of the functional module to connect with the functional module and thereby connect the functional module with the starting lock module such that the functional module is connected to the steering column via the starting lock module when the starting lock module is connected to the steering column.
US07819419B2
An occupant protection device includes an airbag 10 that is inflated with gas from an inflator 20 at a side of an occupant B to protect the body of the occupant B from the shoulder Ba to the lumbar Bd, the airbag 10 having substantially the same vertical dimension as that of a seat back Aa. In this occupant protection device, uninflatable sections 12 and 13 are formed in a vertical center portion 10c of the airbag 10, that is, at a position corresponding to the chest Bb and the abdomen Bc of the occupant B. Accordingly, a region which is thinner than an upper portion 10a and a lower portion 10b of the airbag 10 in a vehicle width direction when the airbag 10 is inflated and that extends substantially parallel to the seat back Aa is formed substantially at the center of the airbag 10.
US07819413B2
The present invention is directed to a storage element and bicycle frame that work in conjunction with each other. The present invention to makes both the frame and storage element as aerodynamic as possible when the storage element is attached to the frame. The storage element is designed to function as an integral aerodynamic element of the frame.
US07819409B2
A foldable wheel seat has a base, an operating bar, a first rotating shaft and two wheel axles. The base has a groove formed in a top face of the base. The operating bar is mounted pivotally in the groove of the base. The first rotating shaft is mounted rotatably in the base and has at least one end and two pulling segments. The at least one end of the first rotating shaft is extended into the groove of the base and is securely connected to the operating bar. The pulling segments are mounted on the first rotating shaft and each pulling segment has two pulling tabs. The wheel axles are mounted rotatably in the base and are perpendicular to the first rotating shaft and below the pulling segments of the first rotating shaft. Each wheel axle has an engaging block, at least two wheels, a holding panel and a torsional spring.
US07819407B1
A cart assembly includes a frame that has an axle extending across a lower end thereof. Handles are included that have slotted and telescoping upper and lower sections. A transport platform is pivotally connected to each handle base and the axle, and folds against the handles. The platform has an arm wrapped about a major axle circumference. The arm has a gap formed therein. A horizontal support bar is positioned at an assembly top end, and is vertically raised and lowered for adjusting an assembly height. Horizontal members are included that form a part of the frame and extend between the handles below the horizontal support bar. Each horizontal member has hooks rotatably mounted therearound and further is slidably displaced along longitudinal lengths of the horizontal members. Wheels are rotatably mounted about opposed axle ends. A mechanism is included for prohibiting the platform from biasing downwardly from a raised position.
US07819400B2
The present invention provides a sheet feeding apparatus including an overlapped feeding detection apparatus which can securely detect overlapped feeding as to a sheet being fed, and a document feeding apparatus and an image processing apparatus including the sheet feeding apparatus. A paper feeding apparatus 1b includes a paper feed tray 11, a pickup roller 61, a paper roller 63, a sorting roller 64, feeding rollers 66a, resist rollers 67, a paper ejection roller 73, a passage detection sensor 69, an overlapped feeding detection sensor 68 and a second detection apparatus 71. Recording paper is delivered from the paper feed tray 11 by the pickup roller 61 according to a printing instruction from a user. The recording paper is fed to the resist rollers 67 through the paper roller 63, the sorting roller 64, the feeding rollers 66a and the passage detection sensor 69. The recording paper temporarily stops at the resist rollers 67. In this case, the overlapped feeding detection sensor 68 detects overlapped feeding of the recording paper.
US07819389B2
An engagement chain type hoisting and lowering device is disclosed, having a hoisting and lowering table attached to the upper end of two or more pairs of hoisting and lowering driving engagement chains. A driving motor drives two pairs of hoisting and lowering sprockets which, in turn, raise or lower two pairs of hoisting and lowering driving engagement chains. By arranging two pairs of hoisting and lowering driving engagement chains on two opposed sides of the hoisting and lowering table, buckling of the hoisting and lowering driving engagement chains is suppressed, resulting in stable hoisting and lowering operations without slippage of articles on the hoisting and lowering table, and chain endurance is improved. The device is designed so that the lowest position of the hoisting and lowering table can be lower than the height of the peripherally located driving motor, for ease and safety of operation and maintenance.
US07819383B2
A selector valve (102) having at least first and second ports (108 and 110) is provided. The selector valve includes a closure element (120) selectively displaceable between a first position, wherein the closure element (120) sealingly engages the first port (108), and a second position, wherein the closure element (120) sealingly engages the second port (110). The selector valve (102) further includes a cam assembly that is configured to bias the closure element (120) into at least the first or second position in a manner such that the closure element (120) does not come into substantial contact with the first or second port (108 or 110) when being moved into the first or second position.
US07819378B2
A gate valve has a gate that moves in a gate cavity between a lower closed position and an upper open position. A seal member in the gate seals against a downstream seat ring when the gate is in the closed position. The seal member is moveable in upward and downward directions as well as upstream and downstream directions relative to the gate. The seal member is in an upper and downstream position relative to the gate while the gate is in the closed position. A cam member is carried by the gate for movement in unison and is in engagement with the seal member. The cam member moves the seal member to an upstream and downward position in response to initial movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.
US07819376B2
A method for forming interconnects onto attachment points of a wafer includes the steps of providing a mold with a plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape, depositing a release agent on surfaces of the cavities, filling the cavities with an interconnect material to form the interconnects, removing the release agent from the mold, and attaching the interconnects to the attachment points of the wafer. An adhesive layer can optionally be deposited in addition to the release layer. The adhesive layer can be used, for example, to bond the chip to a package.
US07819369B2
A supporting mount mounts a device to a post and is removably fixed to the post without being fastened thereto by any penetrating fastener. A front panel is at the front post face and has the device fixed thereto. A pair of opposing side panels are at respective side post faces. Each side panel has a lower lateral edge connecting to the front panel and an opposing upper lateral edge. A connecting element at the back post face interconnects the upper lateral edges of the side panels. A top edge of the front panel is vertically lower than a top portion of the connecting element. The mount pivots into frictional contact with the back post face at the top portion of the connecting element and with the front post face at a bottom portion of the front panel.
US07819362B2
An enhanced aerial delivery system addresses issues raised when large quantities of fluids, powders, and other agent materials are to be transported in and aerially dispersed by aircraft. Some aspects include positioning and securing of tanks aboard the aircraft to facilitate management and safety of the tanks and aircraft. Other aspects address coupling of the tanks and associated piping to lessen structural effects upon the aircraft. Further aspects deal with channeling, containing, and dumping stray agent materials that have escaped from the agent tanks on board the aircraft.
US07819360B2
A window frame (1) for installation in the exterior shell of an aircraft comprises in each case at least one outer flange (2), one inner flange (3), and one vertical flange (4) arranged perpendicular to and between these flanges (2, 3), wherein the connection with the aircraft structure (5) is realized via the outer flange (2) and wherein on the inner flange (3), a window element (7, 8) to be held is attached, which is held via the vertical flange (4). The window frame (1) comprises resin reinforced with unidirectionally arranged fiber bundles (20), wherein the progression of the fiber bundles in the three regions of the outer flange (2), inner flange (3), and vertical flange (4), respectively, follow the mechanical load direction. For manufacturing, a semifinished part made from unidirectionally arranged fiber bundles is inserted into a molding tool (11), in which, under pressure and temperature, resin is injected, and the component made in this manner is hardened subsequently in the molding tool(11).
US07819353B2
A fishing reel has a reel unit that is mounted on the fishing rod, a spool that is rotatably attached to the reel unit, a tension detector that detects tension applied to the said fishing line, and a communication portion that transmits to a fishing information display apparatus data of the tension applied to the fishing line detected by the tension detector. The fishing information display apparatus is provided externally of a fishing reel, and receives data communicated from the fishing reel. The fishing information display apparatus includes a body member, a display portion provided in the body member, a communication portion that receives from the fishing reel data of the tension applied to the fishing line, and a controller that is displays on the display portion the data of tension received from the fishing reel. A navigator away from an angler can certainly have information of the fishing situation.
US07819349B2
A machine for distributing blowing insulation from a bag of compressed blowing insulation. The machine includes a chute having an inlet end and an outlet end and is configured to receive the bag of compressed blowing insulation, a plurality of shredders mounted at the outlet end of the chute and configured to shred and pick apart the blowing insulation and a discharge mechanism for distributing the blowing insulation into an airstream. The chute has a cross-sectional shape that approximates the cross-sectional shape of the bag of compressed blowing.
US07819345B2
The system contains a plurality of conduit segments and at least one electrically-powered pump. At least one conduit connector joins the conduit segments and the electrically-powered pumps, thereby mating at least one fluid path. A plurality of electric power wires are coupled with the conduit segments and connected to the electrically-powered electric pumps. At least one electrical connector, within said conduit connectors, mates corresponding electric power wires between the conduit segments. An electric power source electrically connected to the electrically-powered pump via the electric power wires.
US07819335B2
In a control system and method for operating an ultrasonic liquid delivery device, an ultrasonic waveguide, separate from the housing, is disposed at least in part within an internal chamber of the housing to ultrasonically energize liquid prior to the liquid being exhausted from the housing through an exhaust port. An excitation device is operable to ultrasonically excite the waveguide and a control system controls operation of the liquid delivery device between an excitation mode in which the excitation device is operated at an excitation frequency to excite the ultrasonic waveguide and a ring down mode in which the excitation device is inoperable to excite the waveguide such that the waveguide rings down. The control system monitors the ring down and is responsive to the ring down to adjust the excitation frequency of the excitation device in the excitation mode thereof.
US07819331B2
A controller for an HVAC system having a plurality of zones and having a multiple stage fluid temperature conditioning device. The controller is configured to receive a plurality of thermostat signals and to transmit a signal to control one of a plurality of flow control devices in response to a call for conditioning in one of the plurality of zones. The controller also includes one or more timers that are connected to the thermostat terminals, where the one or more timers are configured to initiate a separate timing count upon each call for conditioning in any one of the plurality of zones. In addition, the controller includes one or more staging terminals for transmitting staging signals to control a multiple stage fluid temperature conditioning device, where the transmission of the staging signals determines whether the conditioning device will operate at a relatively higher output stage. The controller is also configured to make a timing count determination to determine if any one of the separate timing counts initiated upon each call for conditioning in any one of the plurality of zones exceeds a timing delay parameter. The transmission of staging signals depends on the timing count determination. A method is also disclosed.
US07819326B2
Digital image capturing and processing network for use in a retail POS environment, comprising a plurality of digital image capturing systems, and a remote image processing server. Each digital image capturing system is installed at a POS station and includes a system housing having an imaging window and containing a plurality of coplanar illumination and imaging stations, for generating and projecting a complex of coplanar illumination and imaging planes through the imaging window, and into a 3D imaging volume definable relative to the imaging window, and producing digital images of objects passed through the 3D imaging volume. The remote image processing server is arranged in two-way data communication with each digital image capturing system, for (i) receiving and processing digital images produced by each digital image capturing system, (ii) performing at least one information abstraction process on the digital images, and (iii) transmitting information back to the POS station regarding said information abstraction process.
US07819322B2
A method for verifying a portable consumer device. The method includes receiving an authorization request message associated with a transaction conducted using a portable consumer device. The portable consumer device includes a portable consumer device fingerprint. The authorization request message includes an altered portable consumer device fingerprint and an algorithm identifier. The method also includes selecting an algorithm from among a plurality of algorithms using the algorithm identifier, determining the portable consumer device fingerprint using selected algorithm and the altered portable consumer device fingerprint, determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches a stored portable consumer device fingerprint, and sending an authorization response message after determining if the portable consumer device fingerprint matches the stored portable consumer device fingerprint.
US07819315B1
A system and method are disclosed for providing product location information within a store. The system comprises a first user interface fixed within the store and an inventory information unit coupled to the first user interface. The first user interface is configured to receive an input signal from a user related to the identity of a product within the store, to process the input signal and to provide a product inquiry signal in response to the input signal. The first user interface is further configured to receive a location information signal, and to provide an output signal in response to the location information signal. The inventory information unit comprises a database containing product location information and is configured to provide the location information signal to the first user interface after receiving the product inquiry signal from the first user interface.
US07819310B2
Metal-containing transaction cards, useful for the purchase of goods and/or services are disclosed. The metal-containing transaction cards may be standard-sized (i.e., about 3⅜ inches by about 2 14 inches) or any other size yet still usable as a transaction card. Moreover, the metal-containing transaction card may include a pocket having characters embossed therein. Further, the metal-containing transaction card may include a fill panel disposed within the pocket. The metal may be titanium or stainless steel.
US07819303B2
The present invention provides a new method for airtightly joining a hollow tube made of a reinforced platinum and a flange made of platinum or a platinum alloy, which prevents decreasing of mechanical strength of the hollow tube made of a reinforced platinum due to its joining with a flange.A method for airtightly joining a hollow tube made of a reinforced platinum with a flange made of platinum or a platinum alloy, which is a method for airtightly joining the outer periphery of a hollow tube made of a reinforced platinum produced by dispersing metal oxides in platinum or a platinum alloy, with a flange made of platinum or a platinum alloy, the method comprising a step of shrink-fitting a ring made of platinum or a platinum alloy to the outer periphery of the hollow tube, a step of heating the hollow tube to which the ring is shrink-fit at from 1,150 to 1,450° C. for from 1 to 10 hours, and a step of welding the flange made of platinum or a platinum alloy to the outer periphery of the ring.
US07819302B2
An aluminum tubular unit for long-term, leak-free storage of fluids is formed in which an aluminum cap is ultrasonically welded to an end of the aluminum tube. The ultrasonic weld is formed from a device capable of producing a torsional vibration pattern. The ultrasonic welding of the cap to the tube eliminates the use of seals and pins to seal the cap to the tube and further eliminates the need for having a hole in the cap to mechanically couple the respective end cap to the cylindrical tube. Furthermore, since ultrasonic welding does not generate significant heat, highly volatile and flammable fluids can be present within the tube when the caps are ultrasonically welded to the cylindrical body. In addition, one or more fins used may also be welded to the outside diameter of the cylindrical body using a related ultrasonic welding process.
US07819298B2
A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.
US07819289B2
A foam soap generator is provided for implementation with various types of foam soap delivery systems. The foam soap generator includes converging air and liquid soap passages at a mixing chamber, where a prefoam is generated for ultimate extrusion through a porous passage member. In one embodiment of the invention, the soap and air are delivered through coaxial tubes, with the soap being introduced axially into the mixing chamber and the air being introduced radially angularly. In another embodiment, the liquid soap is drawn into an entrainment zone by high velocity air passing through the air passageway and into the mixing chamber.
US07819288B2
A combination includes a product container having a longitudinal dimension and a valve oriented to discharge product generally longitudinally therefrom. Valve actuating apparatus extends laterally from the valve in a direction transverse to the longitudinal dimension and terminates at an outer peripheral surface. A housing has a wall that tapers to a discharge opening, and the discharge opening has a size larger than a radius of the container but smaller than the greatest lateral extent of the valve actuating apparatus. The outer peripheral surface is disposed in interfering relationship with the wall when the container is disposed in the housing.
US07819285B2
In a counter mechanism of a feeding device, in each discrete feeding operation, an amount corresponding to single delivery unit of stored material is ejected and providing a simple construction and permitting the remaining amount of stored material in the device invisible from outside to be known by counting the number of delivered units of stored material. A counter mechanism of this invention comprises a fixed member (10) fixed to the body and having cam lobes formed in circumferential direction, a gear (20) having a count number display that can be monitored from the outside, a rotating member (40) being restricted to rotate either to a position in the rotating direction to allow feeding of a single delivery unit and a position to preventing feeding of the stored material, a ring member (30) which can rotates in interlock with the rotating motion of the rotating member and comprises a resiliently deformable cam follower having a jaw formed at a predetermined position in circumferential direction. The rotating member is operated for a single feeding operation, the jaw of the resilient cam follower is engaged with the gear so as to rotate the gear and increase the count by only one in the count number display.
US07819279B2
A latching system including both apparatus and methods addresses the need for a reusable latch that is identical on either side of a container opening, thereby facilitating container manufacture. Also disclosed are apparatus and methods for assuring the quality of latch able container enclosed contents and enhancing the safety of container users by providing an unopened condition assurance element such as a tab that is removable from a reusable container latch. A novel latching system with a split insertion clement on a first latch side and unitary receptor element on a second latch side is also disclosed. A preferred embodiment involves an elastically obstructed latch as used on a squeeze-openable container.
US07819263B1
A collapsible baby bottle for reducing air-intake during feeding operations includes a body formed from disposable material, a plurality of linear ridges concentrically spanning across a non-uniform circumference thereof, and a coupling threadably attached directly to a top opening of the body. The apparatus further includes a nipple removably attached directly to the coupling, a cap removably affixed directly to the coupling for protecting the nipple from undesirable foreign debris and fluids, and a mechanism for preventing formation of powder formula lumps when mixing the powder formula and water within the body so that a homogenous mixture of the powder formula and the water is obtained. The apparatus further includes a strap tethered directly to the coupling and spaced from the body and the nipple respectively, and a barcode removably affixed directly to a bottom surface of the body for identifying nutritional information about the powder formula.
US07819260B2
A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.
US07819257B2
Device and method for removing heavy contaminants from an apparatus for treating a fibrous suspension. The device includes at least one connection part being coupleable to a heavy contaminants outlet of the apparatus. The at least one connection part includes an inner surface having a polygonal cross section and at least one heavy contaminants outlet.
US07819255B2
A shaker apparatus including a basket having an upstream side, a downstream side, and two side walls, at least one wedge guide and one support rail disposed on each side wall, and at least one screen assembly. The support rails and the wedge guides may be configured to engage the screen assembly. The screen assembly may have one or more layers of screen mesh mounted on a screen frame. The screen frame may include a first and a second side rail, each having an upstream end, a downstream end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A slope of the top surfaces intermediate the upstream end and the downstream end may be different than a slope of the bottom surfaces intermediate the upstream end and the downstream end.
US07819251B2
A biodegradable tube comprises a mom-rigid paper tubular body defining a lumen for containing a semi-solid composition; a paper tubular cap that slidably mates with the body; and wherein interior surfaces of the each of the body and the cap have a coating that is substantially impermeable to the semi-solid composition. In preferred embodiments the tube body and cap have tapered sealed ends, the coating comprises an adhesive, and the walls of the tube/cap comprise a rolled paper material upon which the coating has been applied. Contemplated semi-solid product materials include for example lip balm, facial cream, lotion, deodorant, sunscreen, caulk, grease sticks, mosquito repellant, and shoe polish.
US07819244B2
A package (10) for a material which can be reconstituted by adding a liquid thereto comprises an expandable bag (12) for containing the material in its unreconstituted state. The bag has an opening (18) allowing liquid to be introduced into the package, and an opening (16) allowing the reconstituted material to be removed from the package, which may be one and the same opening. The openings may be reclosable, and may also be water-tight. The bag may be reinforced at its lower end, and can have a carrying handle at its upper end.
US07819240B2
A transfer belt unit and an image forming apparatus having the same are provided. The transfer belt unit includes a transfer belt circulating and traveling and transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive body onto a printable medium. A plurality of support rollers support an inner circumference of the transfer belt. A pair of belt guides respectively attached to both edges of the inner circumference of the transfer belt are engaged with a regulating portion disposed in the support rollers to allow the transfer belt to travel in a substantially straight line and each having a joint portion. The joint portion comprises first and second ends separated from each other to be substantially parallel to each other when inclined with respect to a traveling direction of the transfer belt. The second end is located in a posterior position of the first end with respect to the traveling direction of the transfer belt and an external edge of the second end is chamfered.
US07819239B2
An feeder for an auto mounting device includes a main frame, a blocking mean, an intake assembly, a transmission assembly, an input assembly and a sensor. By the sensor detecting the movement of the auto mounting device and transmitting a signal to activate the transmission assembly, the feeder could be in a normal operation without having an intimate contacting with the auto mounting device. Therefore, the feeder can favorably prevent from tremor and attrition while operating in response to the auto mounting device, conducing to a prompt and regular action of the auto mounting device.
US07819237B2
A belt scraper tensioning assembly attaches to a belt conveyor machine to bias a scraper blade toward a conveyor belt. The tensioning assembly is fully assembled prior to mounting to the belt conveyor. The tensioning assembly comprises a mounting plate with a central opening and a cylindrical bearing housing connected to the mounting plate coaxial with the central opening. A cylindrical bearing is positioned within the bearing housing. A tensioning arm extends radially from a cylindrical sleeve. A portion of the cylindrical sleeve is pivotally mounted within the cylindrical bearing. The cylindrical sleeve is positionable over and connectable to a shaft carrying a belt scraper such that the tensioning arm pivots as the shaft rotates. A stationery arm is connected to the mounting plate and extends along a horizontal axis of the mounting plate. The stationery arm includes an elongate slot. A tensioning rod extends through the elongate slot and has one end connected to the free end of the tensioning arm when the tensioning arm is angularly displaced less than 90 degrees from the stationery arm. A portion of the tensioning rod that extends below the stationery arm carries a spring between the stationery arm and a nut threaded on a lower end of the tensioning rod. The spring can be compressed to urge the tensioning arm toward the stationery arm and thereby rotate the belt scraper shaft to keep the belt scraper blade in close contact with the conveyor belt as the scraper blade wears.
US07819236B2
The conveyor for bottles or containers in general comprises a conveyor belt for supporting the bottles, and a lubricant dispensing unit associated with the conveyor belt. The lubricant dispensing unit comprises a cylindrical element rotatably connected to the conveyor belt and associated with a lubricant feed member, such that the feed member transfers lubricant to the cylindrical element and this, by rotating in contact with the conveyor belt, releases the lubricant onto the conveyor belt. The lubrication process for a conveyor belt of a conveyor for bottles or containers in general consists of feeding lubricant onto a cylindrical element and rotating the cylindrical element in contact with the conveyor belt, such that the lubricant passes onto the conveyor belt.
US07819234B2
A bottle orienting device for orienting bottles including a neck with an opening on one end thereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a first belt operable to advance a bottle in a first direction, a stationary kicker extending upward relative to a lower surface of the bottle as it moves in the first direction and positioned in a path of travel of the bottle such that the bottle will rotate around the kicker as it passes the kicker, and a rotation deflector positioned above the kicker and upstream from the kicker, the rotation deflector positioned such that it prevents rotation of the bottle when desired.
US07819231B2
A support assembly for supporting a S cam, the S cam being an intermediary device between a brake actuator and a set of wheel brakes and is generally an elongate metal rod shank having an S-head at one end and a set of splines at the other end, the S-head having at least one arm for engaging a respective brake shoe, whereby rotation of the S cam in a first direction causes the at least one arm of the S-head act on the brake shoe to frictionally engage the brake shoe with a brake drum, the brake drum being affixed to a wheel, includes single bushing rotationally supporting the S cam. A method of supporting the S cam is further included.
US07819221B1
A flexible membrane is attached to an internal wall of the fairing of a flight vehicle. The membrane is inflated with gas to achieve a shape that couples with and thereby attenuates the first acoustic resonance occurring within the volume enclosed by the fairing. A sensor senses the varying ambient atmospheric pressure during flight. A pressure regulating system includes an inflation valve and pressure relief valve. Based on the sensed ambient atmospheric pressure, this system adjusts the membrane's gauge pressure throughout the flight trajectory to maintain the desired coupling gauge pressure. Acoustic blankets can also be attached to the internal walls of the fairing to abate resonances having frequencies greater than 500 Hz. Inflating the membrane with helium enhances the attenuation otherwise obtained. Multiple membranes can be individually tuned to respectively attenuate multiple acoustic resonances.
US07819211B2
A motorcycle in which an engine is disposed between a front wheel and a rear wheel and an exhaust pipe for guiding exhaust gas emitted from the engine is extended forward relative to the engine, including an electric motor that is disposed behind a cylinder portion of the engine and is configured to apply a torque to a power transmission system including a crankshaft of the engine.
US07819202B2
An agricultural implement apparatus includes a center section and wings pivotally attached to ends of the center section. Wing wheels are pivotally mounted to the wings about vertical axes. The wings can pivot from a transport position, where the wings extend rearward in alignment with the travel direction and where a rotational plane of each wing wheel is aligned with the corresponding wing, to a field position where the wings extend perpendicular from the center section and where the rotational plane of each wing wheel is perpendicular to the wing. Right and left wheel actuators pivot the wing wheels from the transport position to the field position as the apparatus moves in the operating travel direction by pivoting the right wing wheel such that a front edge thereof moves to the right, and by pivoting the left wing wheel such that a front edge there moves to the left.
US07819201B2
An upright ESFR sprinkler includes a generally tubular body, at least one frame arm, a closure assembly, an unactuated heat responsive trigger assembly and a deflector assembly with a K-factor greater than 14, and preferably 16.8. The passageway extends between inlet and outlet openings. The closure is positioned proximate the outlet so as to occlude the passageway with a Bellville seal being. An ejection spring is coupled to the closure assembly. The heat responsive trigger assembly has a Response Time Index of 40 meter1/2second1/2 (m1/2sec1/2) or less. The deflector assembly includes a nosepiece and a plate like redirecting member. The plate like redirecting member faces the outlet and is coupled to the at least one frame arm and spaced from the outlet opening. The plate shaped member includes a first generally planar portion, a conical second portion, and a third portion extending from the conical second portion. The third portion includes a plurality of tines and a plurality of slots with at least one slot disposed between every two tines so that, when the heat responsive trigger assembly is actuated and the closure is positioned to allow a density of water to flow from the outlet of the body so as to suppress a fire of a particular commodity situated beneath the ceiling of 35 feet or less. System and methods relating to the upright sprinklers are also provided.
US07819194B2
A flow regulator for use in a subterranean well. A well flow regulating system includes a flow regulator for regulating a flow rate of a fluid in a wellbore, the flow rate remaining substantially constant while a differential pressure across the flow regulator varies. The flow regulator is adjustable while positioned within the wellbore to change the flow rate. Another well flow regulating system includes a flow regulator for maintaining a desired fluid flow rate between an annulus and an interior passage of a tubular string. The flow regulator includes a closure device, a biasing device which applies a biasing force to the closure device, and a flow restriction which operates to apply a restriction force to the closure device. The biasing force and/or the restriction force is adjustable downhole to change the flow rate.
US07819188B2
Tubewaves are used for detection and monitoring of feature state to enhance stimulation operations and remediate failure conditions. For example, proper sealing of perforations may be confirmed based on lack of a reflection of a tubewave by the perforations. Alternatively, at least one of amplitude, frequency, attenuation, dispersion and travel time associated with a tubewave and reflection may be used to determine feature state. If a sealant fails during treatment then the failure condition is indicated by appearance of a tubewave reflection. Consequently, the stimulation operation can be stopped in a timely manner, and remediation by means, for example, of pumping diversion fluid or dropping of balls, can be reinitiated until the difference between the expected responses and responses measured by the instrument along the segment to be stimulated confirm that sealing has taken place and that stimulation of the intended zone can resume. Further, specific remediation steps may be selected based on response of the borehole system to tubewaves. The efficacy of the selected remediation steps may also be determined by response of the borehole system to tubewaves during or after execution of those steps.
US07819184B2
A logging plug is disclosed having an internal sealing mechanism therein which provides a high degree of sealing integrity between the bore of the plug and a coiled tubing or other means of suspending wellbore equipment running therethrough. The sealing mechanism utilizes a combination of low friction, elastomerically-energized cap seals and ring seals to ensure that the sealing surfaces adapt continuously to the changing profile of the coiled tubing to provide a true dynamic seal around the coiled tubing.
US07819182B2
A system for monitoring strain in a wellbore casing includes one or more gages that are affixed to an outer surface of the wellbore casing. Each gage includes one or more apertures. During operation, variations in the shape and spacing of the apertures are monitored and used to determine a level of strain in the wellbore casing.
US07819164B2
To provide a transfer tool which realizes both of a mode of transferring a transferring object of any dimension and a mode of continuously transferring the transferring object by a certain dimension, there is provided an operating part (7) which functions as a feeding mechanism (X) for feeding a paper (P) by a certain dimension in a counter-transfer direction by rotating an auxiliary roller (R1) in a use state (O) and a switching mechanism (Z) for selectively switching a feeding state (x) by the action by the feeding mechanism (X) and a normal use state (y) where the feeding state (x) is released still in the use state (O).
US07819158B2
An ultrasonic welding system includes an ultrasonic welding stack mounted for linear movement and for applying a controlled force, speed, or a combination of force and speed to a first workpiece to press the first workpiece against a second workpiece to which the first workpiece is to be joined, and an electrically powered linear actuator coupled to the ultrasonic welding stack for moving the stack while applying a controlled force, speed, or a combination of force and speed to said stack, the actuator including an electrical servo motor producing rotational mechanical motion and an integrated converter for converting the rotational motion into linear motion. In one specific implementation, a controller is coupled to the linear actuator for controlling the force applied by said actuator to the ultrasonic welding stack, and a sensor is coupled to the servo motor for producing a signal related to the torque produced by the servo motor and supplying that signal to the controller. In a second specific implementation, a load cell is used for force feedback to the motion controller with a linear or rotary position feedback device used to provide position and velocity feedback to the motion controller. The controller controls the electrical power delivered to the servo motor so as to control the torque and speed outputs of the motor.
US07819149B2
The present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for producing pulp from lignocellulosic raw material, such as wood or annual or perennial plants, by mechanical defibration. According to the invention, fibers are peeled from the wood by means of grinding grits arranged on a defibration surface, wherein at least 90% of the protrusion difference distribution between adjacent or neighboring grits on the surface belongs to a value region maximally as wide as the average grit diameter. By means of the invention, a reduction in specific energy consumption of up to 50% or even more can be obtained.
US07819137B2
A faucet including a waterway assembly fluidly coupled to a valve assembly.
US07819131B2
A valve closure system particularly suited to reciprocating compressors employs no springs and preferably urges the valve in the closed direction by the force generated from magnets positioned to repel each other and in that manner deliver the force to keep the compressor valve closed. Other applications are envisioned and different techniques for replacing the spring component in such valve assemblies are also contemplated.
US07819130B2
There is disclosed a variable metering orifice arrangement for a current divider and current adding device, the metering orifice arrangement including one or more working terminals by each of which a consumer can be supplied with pressure fluid. The metering orifice arrangement includes a metering orifice piston to which control pressure tapped off between two throttles of a pressure divider can be applied, wherein at least one of the throttles is variable.
US07819128B2
The trailer hitch mount for an umbrella includes a square cross-section shaft that is adapted to slide into a standard sleeve-style trailer hitch receiver that is currently available on many vehicles. The shaft includes a series of holes along the sides thereof to receive a pin in order to secure the shaft to the trailer hitch receiver in a telescopic relationship. The series of holes allows the shaft length to be adjusted, so that the distance between the trailer hitch receiver and the opposed end of the shaft may be shortened or lengthened, as desired. The shaft includes two ends, one of which slides into the trailer hitch receiver, and the other end includes a hollow pivoting cylindrical tube that is used to receive the bottom end of an umbrella pole. The pivoting tube includes adjustment means, so that the pivoting tube may be tilted to a desired angle and secured in that position. For travel or storage purposes, the pivoting tube may be folded down and secured into a compact position parallel with the shaft. At an upper end of the pivoting tube is receiving and securing means for the umbrella pole. The umbrella pole, in a preferred embodiment, slides into the hollow pivoting tube and a hand screw positioned on the side of the pivoting tube at its upper end may be tightened against the umbrella pole and secured thereby.
US07819121B2
To use a loose-fitting condom, a penis or prosthesis is covered loosely with a condom having a loose-fitting portion. The loose-fitting portion is twisted so that the loose-fitting portion closely covers the penis or prosthesis. The loose-fitting portion is then secured in the twisted state. An external penile prosthesis is provided, which includes a generally tubular body portion and a head portion. The head portion can be rotatable about the central axis of the body portion or include a plurality of flaps swingably attached to the body portion for adjusting an opening between the flaps. Further provided is a combination of the prosthesis and a loose-fitting condom. The condom has a flexible sheath which has a loose-fitting portion sized for loosely covering a penis or the prosthesis. The combination may further include a holder for holding the loose-fitting condom in a twisted position.
US07819113B2
A door assembly for a cooking apparatus is provided that prevents heat generated in a cooking chamber from being released to the outside while also being as thin as possible. The door assembly may include a glass support that supports a first glass panel on a front side, and a second glass panel on a rear side. The second glass panel may be supported by a seating protrusion and catching protrusions formed on the rear side of the glass support. A door frame may be coupled to the rear side of the glass support, with a third glass panel coupled to either a front or rear side thereof. A cover frame may be coupled to the rear side of the glass support to enclose the first, second and third glass panels and the door frame.
US07819086B2
A pet toy has an outer wall and a first opening in the outer wall that extends into an interior of the pet toy, a portion of the interior being hollow. At least one second opening is defined in the outer wall and functions as a vent to prevent a pet's tongue from becoming inadvertently and harmfully sealed within the first opening.
US07819084B2
A water agitation system for use with a water retention structure, such as a bird bath or livestock water trough, includes a motor operatively connected to a drive shaft, and a blade assembly extending outwardly from the drive shaft. The motor is operable to rotate the blade assembly in order to impart motion to water retained within the water retention structure. According to an embodiment of the present invention, an audio source may be provided, including a sound board and speaker.
US07819083B2
An improved livestock feeder provided with an adjustable feed dispensing mechanism including control levers which are operatively connected to the feed metering gates to control the flow of feed to livestock. The dispensing mechanism features a control lever which engage an array of indexing holes formed in the feeder to position the feed gate within the opening to adjust the amount of feed dispensed from the hopper. The dispensing mechanism includes a graduated scale corresponding to each of the index holes to provide a standard setting for the feeder which can be utilized by an animal producer to supply of feed flow at a given stage in the animal's life cycle to obtain a desired growth rate.
US07819077B2
A method for forming a coating layer is provided according to the invention. The method includes steps of assembling a die coater comprising a first die block (12), a second die block (14), and a plurality of fasteners (40) holding the first die block and the second die block together, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners provides a compression force between the first die block and the second die block, and the first die block and the second die block are constructed to provide an internal manifold (16) and a coating slot (18), and extruding a coating material through the internal manifold and the coating slot. The coating slot can be adjusted to provide a more uniform coating slot along the length of the coating slot by adjusting the compression force of the fasteners, utilizing an offset bracket (80), adjusting the die bolt locations, adjusting the die overhang, providing a non-uniform shim (30), or a combination thereof. A die coater is additionally described.
US07819063B1
A breaching device for positioning explosives on a structure for rapid entry constructed of soft, plastic material formed into elongated inflatable chambers allowing the breaching device to be positioned by secondary attachment means to a target surface. A sleeve is formed on the chamber for insertion of an explosive material thereby reducing the need for supplemental construction materials for the device. The rigidity of the inflated device is achieved by inflation so as to hold its shape and be semi self-supporting and to increase the ease to which the device can be deployed. By utilizing a device which will hold its specific shape and precise positioning of explosives therewithin will insure that the explosive force of detonation will be applied directly to the structure and the desired shape, size and amount for breaching a structure for entry.
US07819046B2
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement in the destruction of explosive-filled objects (8), such as various types of ammunition components, in a detonation chamber (1) intended for this purpose, for ensuring that the constituent explosives of the material for destruction are rapidly made to detonate at the most advantageous point in the detonation chamber with regard to the wear and tear on the detonation chamber.
US07819042B2
A brake tensioning system and method are described herein for use on vehicles. The system includes a tool, and the method includes the use of the tool to effectuate tensioning of a brake system conveniently, accurately, and repeatably.
US07819039B2
Disclosed herein is a steering apparatus of a small ship such as a motorboat, which prevents abrasion and noise caused by a gap between a rotary cover and a rotary plate and maximizes steering handle rotation prevention effect. The steering apparatus includes a cylindrical fixed frame; the rotary plate rotatably set inside the fixed frame; a plurality of mounts arranged on the rotary plate and having rolling elements and elastic elements mounted thereon; the elastic elements mounted on the mounts and applying elasticity to the rolling elements to press the rolling elements against the inner face of the fixed frame; the rotary cover including a movable part having movable pieces capable of pressing the rolling elements when a steering shaft is operated and covering the top of the rotary plate to prevent the rolling elements and the elastic elements from being separated from the mounts; the steering shaft penetrating the fixed frame, the rotary plate and the rotary cover; and elastic pads respectively attached to portions of the movable pieces, which come into contact with the rolling elements, to eliminate a gap between each movable piece and each rolling element.
US07819038B2
A gear including a pinion, a shaft and a disc is disclosed. The disc includes a cleavable element arranged to disengage the pinion from the shaft in case of an overcouple between the pinion and the shaft. A guiding module of the pinion is arranged to maintain the pinion in rotation in the support in case of a disengagement of the pinion from the shaft. In a turbo-machine, a gear box including such a gear allows the driving of auxiliary machines in case of a breakdown of a shaft in the gear box.
US07819036B2
An electromotive linear drive unit comprising a housing, a motor pot, a connection piece, a power supply cable, a deployable lifting tube, and a fixed flanged tube is designed in such a way that it can be made at a low cost while being easier to assemble than previously known embodiments thereof. In accordance with the invention, at least the connection zones of the housing (11) to the motor pot (12) and the attachment part (13) are configured in a cylindrical manner while the connection zone are formed by means of a rotary motion of the housing (11) and/or the motor pot (12) and/or the attachment part (13) in a radial direction. The connection zones are configured form-fittingly in an axial direction. This type of connection is realized by means of meshing threads. The linear drive according to the invention is particularly suitable for driving the adjustable components of a slatted frame or armchair.
US07819025B2
An electronic torque wrench having a flexible head provides accurate torque measurements irrespective of the angular position of the head relative to a handle on which the force is applied. The head includes first and second portions connected by at least three pivotal links. One of the links is used to react against the entire torque applied to the handle, regardless of the pivotal position of the handle. An electronic strain gauge on the torque-reacting link provides a measurement of the torque applied to the fastener.
US07819022B2
Method and device that by acoustic signal energy—generated by a flowing medium, detects characteristic properties, amounts and the individual distribution between several components/phases, i.e. liquids, gases, particles or any distribution individual and between these. The flowing medium is decided to pass through at least one in a pipe system installed flow conditioner that has at least one restriction and by said passing is decided to release acoustic signal energy. The flow conditioner is installed in such a way that it in an acoustic and/or thermal way is totally or partly isolated from upstream and downstream adjoining sections of the pipe system and/or surrounding construction details.
US07819017B2
A dynamometer element including a bolt on which a diaphragm is mounted, the diaphragm being surrounded by a sleeve, to which a force component to be measured is applied perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the bolt, the sleeve being spaced from the bolt in such a way that the diaphragm is strained as a function of the force component, a sensor system for measuring the strain being provided on the diaphragm.
US07819016B2
An air pressure gauge has a housing, a circuit board, a pressure detector and a display. The housing is hollow and has a base, a cover, an engaging device, multiple protrusions and detents and a seal. The cover is pivotally connected to the base with a pivotal tab integrally formed between and connected to the base and the cover. The engaging device is mounted between the base and the cover and has an engaging recess and an engaging tab engaging each other. The protrusions and detents are mounted respectively on the base and the cover and engage each other. The seal is mounted between the base and the cover.
US07819010B2
A device for destruction-free testing of ferromagnetic component walls with respect to elongate defects has a sending transducer that excites ultrasound waves in a wall area of a ferromagnetic component wall magnetized in a predetermined direction of magnetization. The ultrasound waves propagate on a path oriented by the sending transducer. A receiving transducer receives the ultrasound waves at a spacing from the sending transducer. The configuration of the sending transducer and a high frequency emitted by the sending transducer, which high frequency is to be determined based on a thickness of the ferromagnetic component wall, are selected so as to effect excitation of horizontal shear waves of higher order. The path orientation is selected at a slant angle to the predetermined direction of magnetization. The receiving transducer is positioned lateral to the path and is oriented toward a predetermined testing area of the wall section in the path.
US07819009B2
The present invention relates to a vibration monitoring device and methods for using the same. Specifically, the invention relates to a vibration monitoring device which may be utilized throughout a delayed coker unit operation to ascertain whether the cutting tool is boring, cutting or ramping mode.
US07819007B2
The present invention makes use of resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy applied to a biological structure to augment bone growth of a bone structure within the biological structure. The resonant acoustic and/or resonant acousto-EM energy which targets the bone structure is applied by a shower mat.
US07819005B2
Devices usable as sensors, as transducers, or as both sensors and transducers include one or more nanotubes or nanowires. In some embodiments, the devices may each include a plurality of sensor/transducer devices carried by a common substrate. The sensor/transducer devices may be individually operable, and may exhibit a plurality of resonant frequencies to enhance the operable frequency bandwidth of the devices. Sensor/transducer devices include one or more elements configured to alter a resonant frequency of a nanotube. Such elements may be selectively and individually actuable. Methods for sensing mechanical displacements and vibrations include monitoring an electrical characteristic of a nanotube. Methods for generating mechanical displacements and vibrations include using an electrical signal to induce mechanical displacements or vibrations in one or more nanotubes. Methods for adjusting an electrical signal include passing an electrical signal through a nanotube and changing a resonant frequency of the nanotube.
US07819001B2
A minimum aerodynamic interference support for models in a cryogenic wind tunnel includes two main pieces: a front sting substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the model and a blade, integrated together and describing an obtuse angle. The support is connected to the model by means of the blade, being the model such that it emulates a tail section and/or wings of an aircraft. The front sting of the support comprises an extension, extended horizontally underneath a frontal zone of the fuselage of the model, starting from the point where the blade starts and extending past the point where the blade is connected to the model, in such a way that the length and area dimensions of the cross-section of the extension are obtained by applying the aerodynamic principle, area rule, to the ensemble made up by the front sting, the blade, the model and the extension.
US07818996B2
The present invention provides a testing system allowing the simultaneous comparative evaluation of the behavior in a membrane process of two or more selected membranes (4). In a preferred embodiment said system allows the control of the hydrodynamics of the feeding liquid by means of stirrers (13).
US07818993B2
Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are decorated with metal nanoparticles to form high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors. The special process to form the high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors can combine a dry transfer printing technique and modification of SWNTs with palladium (Pd) nanoparticles to provide high-performance hydrogen sensors with excellent mechanical flexibility on plastic substrates. Two approaches can be used to decorate the SWNTs. One is physical deposition, such as electron beam evaporation (EBE) and the other is electrochemical deposition which can selectively grow palladium nanoparticles on the surface of the SWNTs, resulting in significantly decreasing the use of palladium. Preferably, the Pd nanoparticles are deposed on the SWNTs in a discontinuous arrangement so that the Pd nanoparticles are spaced away from each other to form individual discontinuous Pd nanoparticles rather a continuous Pd film. Advantageously, the SWNTs are arranged with substantial semiconducting pathways. Desirably, the high-performance flexible hydrogen sensors have an excellent response and recovery time, provide superior sensitivity for detecting hydrogen, and are bendable to conform to the contours of other structures.
US07818991B2
A guide release system for use in an impact test of a motor vehicle includes a first guide releasably coupled to a first portion of the motor vehicle to guide the first portion of the motor vehicle towards a test barrier. The system also includes a second guide releasably coupled to a second portion of the motor vehicle to guide the second portion of the motor vehicle towards the test barrier. The second guide is displaced a distance from the first guide. The system further includes an actuator that releases the first guide and the second guide substantially simultaneously to enable the motor vehicle to freely contact the test barrier.
US07818981B2
On a carriage of a device for dividing glass sheets into patterns, there are a cutting tool to which a pivoting drive is assigned, and a stripping tool for removing a coating from a glass sheet with a stripping disk. The stripping tool is mounted on the carriage and pivots around an axis perpendicular to the glass sheet. When the tool is being used to strip a glass sheet along the division outline, therefore in the area on either side of scoring lines which have been or are to be produced in a glass sheet, the stripping disk is placed on the surface of the glass sheet and the tool is pivoted around the axis which is normal to the glass sheet using the pivoting drive for the cutting tool in order to correctly align the stripping disk.
US07818973B2
There is provided an energy recovery apparatus capable of recovering a hydraulic energy in a regenerative air-conditioning system including a pressure sustaining valve and capable of coping with a discharge change caused by variation in air-conditioning load, the air-conditioning system being capable of carrying out normal operation even in a case where the energy recovery apparatus fails. The energy recovery apparatus is configured so as to feed water from a water tank to air-conditioning loads such as a heat source or a fan coil at a higher place through a feed pipe line by a pump and to lead the water passed through the air-conditioning loads into the water tank via a return pipe line including the pressure sustaining valve, a branch pipe line is disposed so as to branch into the water tank from the return pipe line in upstream of the pressure sustaining valve, and the energy recovery apparatus is connected in to the branch pipe line.
US07818972B2
A water removal apparatus removes water contained in a coolant circulating between a target object and a cooling system through a circulation line. The water removal apparatus includes a bypass line through which a part of the coolant separated from the circulation line flows; a heat exchanger, provided in the bypass line, for heating the coolant flowing along the bypass line by using a waste heat of the cooling system; and a water adsorption material, provided at a downstream side of the heat exchanger, for adsorbing the water contained in the coolant. Further, an inspection apparatus, for performing an inspection for a semiconductor wafer mounted on the target object while controlling a temperature of the semiconductor wafer on the target object, includes the water removal apparatus.
US07818969B1
Hydrocarbon fuel is sent to a reformer, which produces carbon and hydrogen. The hydrogen is sent to a fuel cell which uses it to generate electricity, and the electricity is used to actuate an electric motor that is coupled to an output shaft of a turbine to impart torque to the shaft. Additionally, hydrocarbon fuel can be provided to the turbine intake directly and/or carbon from the reformer can be mixed with steam from the fuel cell and sent to the turbine intake, in either case to impinge on the turbine blades and impart further torque to the output shaft.
US07818965B2
A torque converter output augmentation apparatus includes a torque converter connected between an engine and a driven component in a drive train. The torque converter is connected into a hydraulic circuit along with a hydraulic fluid pressurizer, a hydraulic fluid container, and a valve. The hydraulic fluid pressurizer pressurizes hydraulic fluid received from the torque converter and the hydraulic fluid container stores pressurized hydraulic fluid received from the hydraulic fluid pressurizer. A controller is programmed to cause the valve to alternately admit and block pressurized hydraulic fluid flow from the hydraulic fluid container to the torque converter. Pressurized fluid received from the hydraulic fluid container is directed within the torque converter in a manner that augments torque converter output to the driven component.
US07818952B1
A hoof boot enables a user to cover, protect and/or treat a hoof. The hoof boot comprises an elastic, hoof-enveloping casing. The casing comprises an interior surface area, an exterior surface area, a ground-contacting bottom portion, a hoof-contracting intermediate portion, and a boot-holding upper portion. The interior and exterior surface areas are non-parallel at the intermediate and upper portions for effecting axially-varied inwardly-directed radial return forces under hoof-based tensile stress from the upper to the bottom portion. The interior and exterior surface areas are substantially parallel at the bottom portion for effecting substantially uniform upwardly directed return forces under hoof-based compressive stress. The casing is elastically actuable and returnable during hoof loading/unloading for improving blood circulation in the hoof.
US07818945B2
Composite structural members and methods for forming the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a composite structural member includes a central structural portion that extends in a first direction and having a first flange portion and a second flange portion that are spaced apart in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by a web portion, the web portion further including a periodic or a non-periodic undulation extending in the first direction. A first reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the first flange portion, and a second reinforced polymer-based substrate is fixedly coupled to the second flange portion.
US07818944B2
A window pane for attenuating the effect of a pressure or shock wave after an explosion, in which the window pane includes a safety element and at least two panes, placed at a distance from one another and enclosing a space between them, which are assembled together in their edge regions with aid of a spacing frame with formation of edge grooves. In the window pane the safety element is flexible, includes a material with a high tear strength, and is placed inside at least one of the edge grooves, and at least one end of the safety element is fed out of the edge groove.
US07818942B2
The floor, which became a block, can easily be attached to the designated floor position, so that the reduction of both the construction cost and the construction period are achieved. It is a method of building the plural floors on the part of the boiler cage part, and one floor 13A is built on a lifting frame 18 put on the ground, and the floor 13A and the lifting frame 18 are both jacked up by jacks 14. Subsequently the lifting frame 18 which separated the floor 13A is jacking down and returned to the ground. Plural floors are built for lower floor from upper floor one after another by repeating such a series of steps.
US07818939B2
This invention describes a snap-lock interlocking joint which locks a pair of mating construction pieces together by the insertion of a specially shaped tongue into a corresponding groove (having a complimentary shape to the tongue). The invention works well with engineered wood composites such as medium density fiberboard and certain other plastic products, namely free foam cellular plastic. The pieces may be joined together in the complete absence of glue or nails. No clamping is required to provide a strong joint.
US07818936B2
A set of extruded panels is provided for constructing a form-work for concrete. The set includes a plurality of first, second and connecting wall panels. The first wall panels are arranged edge to edge to form a first wall. The second wall panels are arranged edge to edge to form a second wall generally parallel to the first wall. The connecting wall panels are arranged to span transversely between the first and second walls. Each first wall panel incorporates an outer wall extending between first and second edges of the first wall panel, and an inner wall extending between first and second edges of the first wall panel, the inner wall spaced transversely from the outer wall and located relatively more proximate to the second wall panel. Each first wall panel incorporates a plurality of support walls extending transversely between the outer and inner walls.
US07818932B2
An off-module connector system for a partition system detachably connects a first partition with a second partition in a non-parallel, angular relationship at a location on the first partition between the opposite side members thereof. The off-module connector system includes a top connector bracket which engages the attachment slots on the panel frames and a bottom connector bracket which engages an associated rack to securely, yet removably, mount the two partition panels in an off-modular relationship.
US07818924B2
A periodically shieldable solar structure (10) comprises a cavity formed between a pair of light transmitting members (12). A foam insulation/shading system (14) is provided for periodically filling the cavity with degradable foam. The foam insulation/shading system (14) comprises a series of foam generators (28) mounted within the cavity and distributed therealong to provide multiple foam generating points therewithin. The foam generators (28) are operatively coupled to a source of pressurized air and a source of foaming solution.
US07818921B2
A through section shielding construction is disclosed in which a partitioning wall defines a slit-like opening extending along a lateral direction as a moving passage of a penetrating member relative to the partitioning wall, and a plurality of shielding plates for closing the slit-like opening are juxtaposed along the slit-like opening as being suspended pivotally to be pushed open one after another by the penetrating member moving along the slit-like opening. The shielding plates are provided as adjacent pairs, and there is provided an operative coupling mechanism for operably coupling, with each other, two shielding plates constituting each pair in such a manner that in association with one of the paired shielding plates being pushed open in one direction by the penetrating member, the other shielding plate is pivotally opened in the opposite direction to the one direction.
US07818920B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for a barrier gate designed to control vehicular travel through a passageway. The invention disclosed employs a barrier arm, a housing, a motor and transmission, a rotary encoder, and a torque limiter assembly. The torque limiter assembly comprises a hub, spindle, brake disk, rotor, and a gland nut. The torque limiter assembly is mounted to the motor and transmission as well as connected to the barrier arm. The torque limiter assembly provides sufficient friction to rotate the barrier arm and also protects the internal gears and linkages of the transmission and motor from costly repair/replacement by preventing any unwanted rotation. In the event an outside force rotates the barrier arm, the rotary encoder in cooperation with a controller instantly recognizes the position of the barrier arm and further acts as a limit switch to send a signal to the motor to stop when the barrier arm is in place.
US07818918B2
Planting pots and a multi-compartment tray are provided, the pots and tray having a self-orienting configuration for urging the pots into proper alignment when same are placed within compartments of the tray. The pots include angled recesses disposed radially about the bottom portion of the pots. The compartments of the tray include angled protrusions disposed radially about the bottom portion of the compartment. The angled recesses of the pot engage with the angled protrusions of the compartment when the pot is placed in the compartment to urge the pot into proper alignment. A plurality of slots are included along an upper portion of each pot for allowing optional identification tags to be inserted thereinto. The identification tags, in addition to logos, artwork, or other indicia, if included, are positioned by the self-orienting configuration of the pots and tray to face in a desired direction.
US07818911B2
A handheld target marker is provided, wherein the target marker includes a housing retaining a gas laser, a collimating or focusing lens, a driver and a power supply. The laser produces a thermal infrared beam which can be selectively directed to impinge upon a target. The impinging beam is viewable by a thermal imager. The handheld target marker operates at ambient temperatures and incorporates the driver and power supply necessary for operation of the laser, wherein the beam can be pulsed for enhancing imaging on the thermal imager.
US07818908B2
A multi-layer business form comprises a top image receiving layer of coated polyester film, a bottom laminating layer of vinyl film, and a paper insulating layer adhered between these two layers so that the business form may be printed through a laser printer or other printer that employs elevated temperatures without fusing the film layers together. Die cuts in the business form define a self laminating wristband comprising a top imaging layer and a laminating layer which, after the form is printed, may be separated from the form along the die cuts, assembled by folding the laminating layer over the imaging layer to encapsulate it, and secured to a wearer's wrist with at least one adhesive coated tab extending from a side of the laminating layer.
US07818900B2
Inner boot, particularly for a sports shoe such as a ski boot, an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a front portion, that covers the toes and part of the forefoot of the user, and a rear portion, that extends at the region of the plantar's arch up to the heel; the front portion is connected to the rear portion by way of one or more interconnection bellows having, in a rest position, its maximum elongation.
US07818898B1
An ornamental shoe which is constructed of an upper shoe portion and a lower shoe portion, wherein the upper shoe portion includes a body portion, a tongue and a heel portion; while the lower shoe portion includes a sole portion; wherein the upper and lower shoe portions are woven of strips of material selected from the group consisting of cardboard and transparent plastic film of different color sewn together by nylon threads.
US07818896B2
A sole includes a base having a first gasbag and a second gasbag respectively received therein. The first gasbag and the second gasbag communicate with each other by multiple windpipes. Multiple through holes are respectively and laterally defined in two opposite walls of the base and respectively communicating with the first cavity and the second cavity. Each through hole has a check valve mounted therein. A first airtight cover is mounted to the first gasbag for closing the first gasbag and a second airtight cover is mounted to the second gasbag for closing the second gasbag. The first airtight cover has a blowing hole defined therein and communicates with the first gasbag. The second airtight cover has multiple blowing holes defined therein and communicating with the second gasbag. A ventilative insole connected to the first airtight cover.
US07818884B2
A shaving apparatus comprising a first shaving unit, including a first outer cutter (101,102) and a first undercutter (20) which cooperate together, a skin agitation member (12), a housing and a drive source (58) mounted in the housing. The outer cutter is mounted in a frame (10). The drive source is coupled to the first undercutter to provide oscillatory movement with respect to the frame at a frequency in the range 70 to 280 Hz. The drive source is also coupled to the skin agitation member to provide oscillatory movement at a frequency in the range 5 to 50 Hz. The first outer cutter is un-driven with respect to the frame.
US07818882B2
A one-way drive device is disclosed herein and includes a pocket plate assembly having a disc-shaped pocket plate and a notch plate assembly having a disc-shaped notch plate. The device also includes an axially extending, open-ended cylindrical shell for containing therein the pocket and notch assemblies. This shell includes opposite first and second axial ends and opposing inner and outer circumferential surfaces which extend axially between the end and which together are configured to include splines and first and second sets of tabs. The splines are circumferentially spaced from one another and extend axially across the shell body and they project radially inward and outward such that there innermost surface edges of the splines together define an innermost annular bearing surface. The first set of tabs is located adjacent to the first axial end of the shell and extend radially inward beyond the innermost annular bearing surface and the set of tabs is located adjacent to the second axial end of the shell and also extend radially inward beyond the innermost annular bearing surface. The tabs are configured to allow the pocket and notch plate assemblies to be easily assembled within the shell and they lock everything with in the shell in place.
US07818881B2
A vehicle exhaust system is provided that includes a first exhaust member having an end that includes an enlarged section. A second exhaust member is sized to receive a portion of the first exhaust member. The enlarged section of the first exhaust member has an outer diameter that is larger than an inner diameter of at least one section of the second exhaust member for creating an interference condition between the first and second exhaust member to prevent axial movement of the first exhaust member in at least one axial direction. The first exhaust member is secured to the second exhaust member by magnetic pulse welding.
US07818879B2
A system for connecting circuit boards is provided. A plurality of overlapping spaced apart circuit boards have a plurality of conductive pins passing through holes in the circuit boards. A connector includes a flexible sheet insulator and a plurality of conductive surfaces separated and supported by the flexible insulator. At least one of the conductive surfaces has a hole there through and a bent compliant lead extending there from. The hole engages one of the pins, and the complaint lead connects to one of the circuit boards.
US07818871B2
A method of fabricating a resonant vibratory sensor, such as a disc resonator gyro. A silicon baseplate wafer for a disc resonator gyro is provided with one or more locating marks. The disc resonator gyro is fabricated by bonding a blank resonator wafer, such as an SOI wafer, to the fabricated baseplate, and fabricating the resonator structure according to a pattern based at least in part upon the location of the at least one locating mark of the fabricated baseplate. MEMS-based processing is used for the fabrication processing. In some embodiments, the locating mark is visualized using optical and/or infrared viewing methods. A disc resonator gyroscope manufactured according to these methods is described.
US07818861B2
A heart valve prostheses crimping apparatus and method for deducing the diameter of stents containing heart valve prosthesis. A medical prosthesis catheter loading apparatus, including a crimping assembly for reducing the diameter of a prosthesis; and a catheter clamp for holding a catheter adjacent to the prosthesis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing the diameter of a medical prosthesis, including a base, a crimp head connectable to the base, and an actuation mechanism connected to the base and connectable to the crimp head to actuate the crimp head. Also disclosed is a method of loading a medical prosthesis into a catheter, including the steps of reducing the diameter of a prosthesis from its normal deployed state to a diameter less than that of the lumen of the catheter; holding a catheter adjacent to the reduced diameter prosthesis; and moving the prosthesis into the catheter lumen.
US07818845B2
An open-and-close hinge device comprise a shaft member having a first end and a second end; a fixture securely attached to the first end of the shaft member, and including an actuating member with a push-bottom moveably toward the second of the shaft member when triggered; an initiating cam rotationally assembled to the shaft member and next to the fixture, a locking key arranged between the initiating cam and fixture preventing the initiating cam from rotating against the fixture, the initiating cam having a first cam surface toward the second end; a follower rotationally and slidably attached to the shaft, and having a second cam surface biasing against toward the first cam surface of the initiating cam, and a third cam surface toward the second end of the shaft member; a slider cam slidably assembled to the shaft member and having a forth cam surface biasing against toward the third cam surface of the follower; a first compression spring interposed resiliently between the slider cam and the second end of shaft; a second compression spring interposed resiliently between the initiating cam and the locking key.
US07818842B2
A foldable mattress having an integral carrying pouch into which the mattress may be folded when not in use. Preferably, the mattress is at least partly inflatable so as to be floatable, and may have a mesh central portion surrounded by an inflatable portion. An inflatable pillow or headrest that is either fixed in place or detachable may be included. The pouch itself is preferably made, at least in part, of nylon mesh material.
US07818841B2
An antidecubital underlay pad (10) having a receiving casing with a top side of the casing and a bottom side of the casing, the casing being segmented along a plurality of segmentation axes (13) to form underlay segments (12), such that the underlay segments are provided with a molded body filling comprising a plurality of molded bodies and are bordered by segmentation lines running along the segmentation axes, wherein the segmentation lines have multiple changes in direction in their course along the segmentation axes (13) and at least the top side (16) of the casing is designed to be elastic at least in a supporting area and is prestressed by the molded body filling (20).
US07818839B2
In a patient bed for an operating table, comprising a plurality of bed portions (18, 32, 70, 72), of which a middle portion (18) is designed for connection to the supporting column of the operating table and which are coupled releasably to one another via interfaces (30, 68), at least one bed portion (70, 72) being adjustable in relation to an adjacent bed portion (32) in the region of an interface (68), the middle portion (18) of the bed (16) is connectable at at least one of its ends, via a first interface (30), to the one end of an intermediate portion (32) which is connectable at its other end, via a second interface (68), to a further bed portion (70, 72), the first interface (30) having two first coupling elements (34, 36) which engage positively one in the other for a rigid connection and which have transmission elements coming into contact with one another during interengagement and intended for the transmission of signals and/or energy, and the second interface (68) comprising two second coupling elements which are intended for positive engagement with one another and of which the second coupling element (74) arranged on the intermediate portion (32) can be adjusted, by means of an actuating drive arranged on the intermediate portion, about an axis parallel to the bed plane and perpendicular to the bed longitudinal direction.
US07818833B2
Disclosed is a removable bed covering assembly including both a fitted covering and a top covering which can be converted into a sleeping bag. The top covering is secured to the bed using a fitted covering attached to the mattress of the bed. The top covering and fitted covering can be attached to each via a zipper assembly. Once the top covering is removed it can be assembled into a sleeping bag via a second zipper assembly.
US07818830B2
A safety bathtub spout cover includes a soft exterior spout receiving hollow body. A temperature sensor mechanism is positioned within the water flow within the hollow body. The temperature sensor mechanism is coupled to a temperature display and an audible temperature alarm on the hollow body to signal unsafe temperature conditions sensed by the temperature sensor mechanism. A child-proof manual override may be provided for disengaging the audible alarm. The body may further include a closing mechanism for attaching the spout cover to the faucet in a temporary, non-marring, non-residue attachment manner. The audible alarm may be a progressive audible temperature alarm with varied levels of activation corresponding to the severity of the scald condition sensed. The display is mounted in a manner visible from any viewing height above the faucet. The spout cover features may be incorporated directly into a safety spout.
US07818828B2
A switching mechanism for a multi-function shower head is mounted inside of a shower head body and coordinates with a water pressure relief valve, including a curbing ring, a dividing disk, an under-driving gear set, an impeller, a transferring stand, a drawbar, a blocking and a top cap; with the transferring stand disposed on the top, and an outlet and a diagonal outlet at bottom of the shower head body; the top cap possesses a joint port; the drawbar is inserted into the tubing, and a restoring spring is set between said end cover and the outside end of the drawbar; a thimble is placed inside of the drawbar.
US07818823B1
A combination urinal/toilet flusher and grabber assembly includes a first resilient U-shaped main body having spaced apart side walls connected by a top wall such that an object can be grasped by compression of outer surfaces of the side walls toward each other. A first hollow member extends from one end of the main body for receiving a urinal/toilet flusher handle. A first tongue extends from an opposite end of the main body and has an opening for receiving a flusher handle. An inner member includes a second resilient main body having spaced apart wings connected together by a top wall, and a second hollow member extending from one end thereof and removably fit within the first hollow member for receiving a flusher handle such that the wings can grasp an object when the side walls are compressed toward each other.
US07818821B2
A safety hat has overwhelming light weight and marvelous air permeability as well as measures for water protection against rainy weather and the like. A front air hole 13 is provided in a visor portion 12 in front of a hat body 10 in a horizontal direction, the visor portion 12 is defined by a streamlined curvature so that an ambient air can be brought in smoothly, and an eave portion 15 of the hat body 10 covers a top end 12a of the visor portion 12 from the outside without contacting the same to form the front air hole 13. An air hole 17 is also provided at a back of a peak portion of the hat body 10. The front air hole 13 mainly functions as an inlet for the ambient air, and the rear air hole 17 functions as an outlet for the air introduced into and staying inside the hat body 10.
